Minority Leader in Parliament has accused President Akufo-Addo of breaching the constitution over his recent comments endorsing the burning of excavators in government’s fight against illegal mining.

Haruna Iddrisu addressing the floor of the House, Friday, May 28, stated that “no laws in Ghana today permits the burning of excavators."

The President, during the sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of new premises for the Ghana School of Law, advised critics of government’s ‘burn-on-sight’ policy to take up their grievances to the court of law.

According to him, “the equipment, which is being used for an illegal or criminal purpose, cannot confer on the owner or any other person any rights whatsoever.”

Sharing opposing views in Parliament today, Haruna Iddrisu noted that the Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame must be summoned before the House in accordance with Article 88 of the constitution to shed light on the position taken by the President in his capacity as the Principal Advisor to the government.

The Tamale South MP added that reasons must be provided on why President Akufo-Addo must not be held in check for being in breach of the laws of Ghana.

“Extra Judicial Power is never vested in the President. So the Attorney General will be brought before this house because we want him to lead the lawful Republic of Ghana to his oath to uphold the constitution and the laws of Ghana and to hold himself accountable to the laws of Ghana. No laws in Ghana today permits the burning of excavators. I so submit,” he added.

But Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu who also addressed the floor of the House insists the President is in the right by urging aggrieved persons to approach the courts to vindicate their opinion.

He stated that vital parts of the excavators are taken out by operators to render them immobile, hence his support for further demobilisation by the Operation Halt team to ensure such excavators cannot be used to further the misdeed.