A private legal practitioner, Martin Kpebu, has advised the President to set up a commission of inquiry to hold parliamentarians accountable.

He said it is very important that President Akufo-Addo sets up a commission of inquiry or Parliament can do so by a resolution to ask the president to set up a commission of inquiry.

Mr Kpebu told Samson Lardy Anyenini on Newsfile Saturday that to have a mutual and independent judgement, Parliament should not be in charge of its own investigations.

He said any findings generated from the investigations should go against the persons who misconducted themselves during the inauguration of the 8th Parliament.

Suggesting some punitive measures which could be handed to MPs found culpable, he said based on Article 94, the records of the person could be affected, their chances of standing as a member in future would be tainted, as well as disqualification of a person who wants to stand as an MP.

Quoting Article 278, Mr Kpebu mentioned that "the president shall by constitutional instrument appoint a commission of inquiry into any matter of public interest where;

1. The president is satisfied that a commission of inquiry should be appointed.
2. A Council of State advises that it is in the public interest to do so.
3. Parliament by a resolution request that a commission of inquiry be appointed to inquire into any matter specified in the resolution as being a matter of public importance.

Speaking on Article 116 of the immunities of parliamentarians, Mr Kpebu quoted that, "Civil or criminal proceedings shall not be instituted against a member of parliament in any court or place out of parliament for any matter or thing brought by him in or before parliament by petition, bill, etc."

He suggested that legislative reforms are needed to amend some immunities that our legislators enjoy and that it is not harsh for a member of parliament to be disqualified.

Meanwhile, ordinary citizens who were found disrupting the December 7 elections were convicted and went to jail, others paid fines, some of them who were found guilty have been banned from being registered and voting for the next five years.