Audio By Carbonatix
The Tamale South MP, Haruna Iddrisu has called for a case to be made on whether parliamentary emergencies cannot be a justification for a Member of Parliament to stay out of court.
He says within the realm of the doctrine of separation of powers, it is only when an MP is ill and indisposed that they can be excused.
But speaking at the Tamale High Court where he had come to solidarise with the MP for Savelugu, Iddris Jacob Abdulai who was in court in relation to alleged possession of arms without lawful authority, Mr Iddrisu said there was the need for a strong case to be made for MPs staying out of court because of parliamentary emergencies.
He said the Savelugu MP could not have stayed away from parliament because he had to represent the people of Savelugu.
"He had to be in the House of Parliament to exercise his representative role as MP for Savelugu to vote on some tax legislations. The judge did not find that convincing enough and thus applied the law. But according to Haruna, there is need to see how to evolve our democracy and our jurisdictional law further.
The lawmaker assured Ghanaians that Mr Jacob Abdulai Iddris was a responsible, elected member of parliament who will never be a fugitive from justice.
"He probably did not exercise good judgement in the reason he provided to the court which did not please My Lord, but subsequently we have to avoid a third occurrence and sure he has been advised, “he said.
The MP for Savelugu is standing trial for two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana records $4.3bn trade surplus in Q1 2026, driven by gold – GSS
35 seconds -
Today’s Front pages: Tuesday, September 1, 2026
21 minutes -
More work ahead despite significant progress in Africa’s food systems – AGRA report
36 minutes -
Young Ghanaian entrepreneurs pursue investment opportunities at Africa Food Systems Forum in Rwanda
42 minutes -
Ex-gang boss found guilty in 1996 murder of rapper Tupac Shakur
50 minutes -
Ghana between resources and rival powers: The politics of strategic choice
1 hour -
I’ll do everything possible to help Bawumia win power in 2028 – Boakye Agyarko
1 hour -
Zanetor pledges to turn scientific research into jobs, industrial growth
2 hours -
Trade Minister inspects site for Cape Coast garment factory
2 hours -
$270m poultry investment to create 12,000 jobs under 24-Hour Economy
2 hours -
My petition against Special Prosecutor put on ice after political intervention – Kpebu
2 hours -
‘Don’t fail our teachers’ – Parents demand full implementation of strike deal
2 hours -
Ghana Baptist Convention ordains 92 ministers, urged to live above reproach
2 hours -
SIGA’s GH¢19.8bn SOE profit claim misleading – Bright Simons
2 hours -
Kpebu vows to publish full petition if case against OSP is thrown out
3 hours