Renowned Legal Expert, Ace Ankomah has charged the Ghana Police Service to go to the Supreme Court to seek an interpretation of Articles 117 and 118 of the Constitution.
According to him, this is the only way to ensure that Parliament does not overextend its authority over issues it has no jurisdiction over.
His comments are in relation to the Contempt of Parliament filed by the Madina Member of Parliament, Francis Xavier-Sosu following his arrest during a protest which occurred on Monday, October 25.
Speaking to JoyNews, Mr. Xavier-Sosu stated that his arrest was unlawful and the Police acted lawlessly.
He explained that by leading the demonstrations that resulted in the blockage of the Ayi Mensah-Danfa road by protesters who were burning tyres and preventing the free flow of traffic, he was performing his parliamentary duty.
“So I told them in any event, the Constitution is very clear when a Member of Parliament is doing his duty as a Member of Parliament you cannot arrest him. If you want to arrest me, write to the Speaker of Parliament.
“So why did the police want to act lawlessly, and how would you arrest me in the presence of the teeming youth who have come together to demonstrate,” he said.
But reacting to Parliament’s directive that the contempt case be sent to the Privileges Committee, Ace Ankomah said “I believe that maybe Article 117 and 118 are being overextended by Parliament to protect itself. How do you resolve this? I think you should issue a criminal summons and then go to the Supreme Court for an interpretation of 117 and 118.”
“If we were to go down the hardline, if they picked you up at 12 midnight at your house, that’s it. But do you really want to go through that? That’s why I’m saying that we can go through a process,” he added.
According to him, it is only the Supreme Court that has the authority to put this matter to rest, especially now that these two institutions are interpreting the law differently.
“If you believe that parliament is overextending its meaning to protect its members let’s just go to the Supreme Court, in three months we’ll have a decision and then the story has ended,” he stated.
Latest Stories
-
Samson’s Take: Journalists, block the pretentious idiots
53 mins -
Real Madrid crowned LaLiga champions after Barcelona’s defeat at Girona
1 hour -
Daniel Otting Awuah elected SRC President of Ghana School of Law
2 hours -
Lawrence Ati-Zigi signs St. Gallen contract extension
2 hours -
We should be careful not to destroy our institutions without just cause – Serebour Quaicoe
3 hours -
Cecilia Dapaah’s case: EOCO hasn’t requested for FBI report – Office of the Special Prosecutor
5 hours -
Andre Ayew scores 5th league goal as Le Havre beat Strasbourg
5 hours -
Ejisu by-election: NPP didn’t sanction money distribution to voters – Richard Ahiagbah
5 hours -
Ghana Health Service opens vacancies for 204 doctors, 25 dentists
5 hours -
Domestic tourism on the rebound with 1.4m visits to attraction sites in 2023 – GTA
6 hours -
Government working hard to complete Tema General Hospital project – Dr Okoe Boye
6 hours -
Ipswich Town seal Premier League promotion after 22 years absence
6 hours -
Accord journalists the respect due them – Opare Gyan
6 hours -
EPL: Arsenal beat Bournemouth to go four points clear of Man City
6 hours -
Cecilia Dapaah’s case: What’s happening now is a clear indication of cover-up – Amaliba
6 hours