Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has cautioned personnel of the Ghana Police Service to desist from illegally arresting and prosecuting Members of Parliament (MPs) without prior notice to his office.

“Even when a member is alleged to have committed an offence and is being investigated, the Speaker must be given notice. Because some of the rights that we have are termed immunities and those immunities are absolute,” he said on the floor of House, June 9.

The speaker is concerned that some MPs are being prosecuted by police without prior notice to his office in contravention of article 117 of the constitution. "Parliament will apply its full force to protect MPs if any such illegal arrests happen again," he said.

According to him, the continuation of said actions prevent the legislators from performing their elected duties thus posing a challenge to Parliamentary affairs.

He said this act of the police must cease henceforth. He assured MPs he will take action to ensure they are protected to ensure they perform their constitutional duty.

“I want this to be given the highest publication for the guidance of the public, particularly the police service as to how to conduct their activities when it comes to Members of Parliament. As I sit here, I’ve gathered information that some members were arrested, were prosecuted and they’re before court without any notice to the Speaker. This cannot continue,” he said.

He added that, “the Speaker’s intervention is necessary for the Speaker would have to be given the opportunity to know why the member is being investigated or arrested. And when it’s one of the absolute immunities, the intervention of the Speaker will prevent the Member from being prosecuted.