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
-
Prof. Kwofie urges publishers to use indigenous knowledge systems to decolonise AI
1 hour -
NDC’s two years of economic gains not enough to establish stability – Alan Kyerematen
2 hours -
AFCON 2027Q: Nine new call-up for Cote, The Gambia matches
2 hours -
Ghana’s MSMEs: Burdened by regulation and overtaxed; why the system isn’t working
2 hours -
Patience Akyianu, former Barclays Bank Ghana MD and Hollard Group CEO, reported dead
2 hours -
Mahama pushes ‘health sovereignty’ agenda, says Global South needs control over resources
2 hours -
Mahama: We are reforming systems, fighting corruption and improving use of public funds
2 hours -
Catholic Bishops welcome task force to tackle drug menace, acknowledge inter-agency efforts
3 hours -
Ghana Catholic Bishops demand urgent action against drug trafficking
3 hours -
Tamale: 5 arrested over suspected drug activities; police seize pistols, narcotics
3 hours -
We have lost a great developer – Mankranso residents pay tribute to late DCE
3 hours -
Ghana Law Society sets September 30 for maiden Bar Conference on legal reforms
3 hours -
GPL Week 3: Port City’s Gyetuah bags a brace as 9 outstanding players named NASCO Players of the Match
3 hours -
Visibility without substance is just noise; I don’t seek popularity—Dr Oppong-Fosu
4 hours -
The late Abubakar Sedik was an exceptional DCE – Ashanti Regional Minister
4 hours