Lawyer and Senior Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, says Speaker Alban Bagbin has not taken actions that would lead to greater peace.
He explained that, in his view, there is currently no clear indication that Parliament has complied with the Supreme Court’s ruling.
In an interview on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, November 2, he stated that the Speaker should have announced a reversal of his ruling, affirming that the status quo had been maintained.
“… The simple thing that would have calmed everything down would have been for the Speaker to say, ‘I disagree with you [Supreme Court] but I respect it.’ As far as I am concerned, the Speaker has not done what I believe would have led to greater peace,” he said.
“I want to hear the Speaker communicate his acceptance and indicate that he does not agree. I think this is necessary,” he added.
He noted that this would help ensure peace and calmness within the leadership.
“I have heard people, even some angrily, saying they would defend their newly won majority. I have heard people say they are going to use their majority to repel laws, and you think, under those circumstances, we should assume that they are going to handle everything properly? Do you want there to be a scuffle before they go back to the Supreme Court for another ruling?”
His comments follow the Supreme Court issuing a stay of execution on Speaker Bagbin’s ruling, which had declared four parliamentary seats vacant.
Parliament was, in essence, instructed to recognize and allow the four MPs to fully represent their constituencies and carry out their official duties.
When Parliament reconvened, the Speaker acknowledged the Supreme Court ruling but did not comment on it.
The House was subsequently adjourned due to insufficient numbers to take a decision after the NPP Caucus staged a walkout when their seats were occupied by the NDC Caucus.
Mr. Bentil asserted that the Supreme Court ruling must be respected, even if an individual disagrees with it.
He added that, even if the Speaker disagrees with the ruling, it is crucial not to create the impression that Supreme Court decisions are disregarded.
Meanwhile, the Speaker filed an application for the Supreme Court to overturn its ruling that suspended his declaration of four parliamentary seats as vacant, but it was rejected.
The Supreme Court maintained that its earlier ruling was appropriate, stating that the Speaker’s appeal was without merit.
“We have considered the application, and we have concluded that the grounds supporting the application have no merit,” the Chief Justice stated.
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