The former speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Ebenezer Begyina Sakyi Hughes has been given a week to return soft furnishings he took away from his state bungalow. This was disclosed by the Majority Leader, Alban Bagbin in an interview with Joy News’ parliamentary correspondent Araba Coomson on Tuesday. This follows a marathon meeting held by the Parliamentary Service Board (PSD) to look into the speaker’s conduct which has generated so much public uproar and controversy. Mr. Babgin said in clear, unambiguous terms, the ex-speaker must return the items he to took from the residence since there was no basis for his taking them in the first place. Sakyi Hughes had early on admitted taking the items from his official bungalow as part of his retirement benefits. He claimed to have acted on an existing policy or understanding which allowed retiring speakers and leaders of the house to go with soft furnishings. But Mr. Bagbin said there is no law, policy or convention to back the claims made by the ex-speaker. According to him, all memoranda from the PSD have been thoroughly scrutinized and no where is the speaker mandated to retire with soft furnishings. He however conceded, one clerk of parliament was a beneficiary of some furnishings but the appropriate investigations will be conducted into the case. The ex-speaker prior to the PSD’s decision hinted he would return the said items as part of his resolve to ensure good governance. He however lamented attempts by critics to drag his reputation into the mud, saying his action was not intended to loot the state as has been alleged. The new developments notwithstanding, the General Secretary of the NDC Asiedu Nketia, insists the ex-speaker must be prosecuted for stealing public property. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline