Audio By Carbonatix
After his lawyer cajoled Members of the Privileges Committee of Parliament, with an apology, the man accused of insulting Parliament ate back his words when he finally took his turn a witness.
Prof Alex Dodoo told MPs it was never his intention to disrespect Parliament and if at any point his views on the Ebola Vaccination trial were considered an affront to the institution of Parliament and indeed to members, he duly apologises.
The Associate Professor in Clinical Pharmacology has been hauled before the House for daring to ask MPs to "shut up" if they are not informed on issues about the aborted clinical trial.
His comment got MPs angry and brought him before the privileges committee for disciplinary action to be taken against him.
On the first day of hearing, his Lawyer Yonny Kulendi apologised profusely to the members, saying Prof. Dodoo was sorry if they felt insulted by his comments.
When the case was called today Kulendi continued with the tonnes of apology.
"We apologise for the inadvertent thoughts and misrepresentations [by Prof Dodoo] which is amenable to disrespect to the House," Kulendi said.
"We apologise again and again; we can't apologise enough," he said and even extended his apology to cover a TV3 witness who was called to testify in the case.
Prof Alex Dodoo had made the comment on TV3.
Shortly after asking Mr Bosompim, the witness who represented TV3 some few questions, it was time to hear from the horse's own mouth.
Prof Dodoo in a rather sombre mood said, "I will never at any time or point disrespect the great institution of Parliament or members.. It will be paradoxical to lambaste Parliament because I work with institutions including Parliament..." .
"I offer my sincere and unconditional apology to the Speaker and to Members for my comments."
As if it was only the apology Members wanted to hear, the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament Ebo Barton Odro who chaired the hearing, adjourned sitting.
He said the members of the committee will prepare a report and present it to the entire House for deliberation.
Other witnesses who were yet to be heard on the matter, including Joy FM's SMS host Kojo Yankson were all 'dismissed' with the Deputy Speaker hinting it was no use hearing them if the key witness had apologised for his comments.
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