Speaker Bagbin ignores Supreme Court’s order to submit a statement of the case in the ongoing proceedings concerning vacant parliamentary seats

The Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin is reported to have ignored a directive from the Supreme Court (SC) of Ghana to file a statement in the ongoing case filed by the leader of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) group in Parliament.

The case centers on a legal dispute regarding the eligibility of certain Members of Parliament to retain their seats after expressing their intention to stand as independent candidates in the upcoming 2024 general elections.

Despite the SC’s earlier instruction for the Speaker to submit the required documents by Wednesday, November 6, 2024, following an extension request by his legal representative, Mr. Thaddeus Sory, no statement was filed by the deadline. Mr. Sory had asked for additional time to consult with the Speaker and ensure a thorough submission.

In addition, the Speaker’s office was absent from court proceedings on November 11, 2024, further fueling concerns about the Speaker’s response to the case.

Meanwhile, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Godfred Yeboah Dame, argued before the court that the Speaker’s direct involvement was unnecessary, as the Attorney General’s office is authorized to handle constitutional matters on behalf of public officers.

He urged the SC to continue with the hearing, stressing that further delays would only hinder the resolution of the case.