The Attorney General says it was improper for Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin to engage his personal lawyers in the ongoing lawsuit at the Supreme Court regarding the status of four legislators.

The Court stayed the execution of the Speaker's ruling which was supposed to render the said Members of Parliament's seat vacant for going independent ahead of the general election.

According to Godfred Yeboah Dame, his outfit is the appropriate office to represent public officeholders in such matters.

He explained that, as a public office holder, it is his mandate to represent the Speaker: “The Constitution designates the Attorney General as the defendant in all actions involving the government, including its parliamentary arm,” he stated.

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The AG further clarified, “The first defendant (the Speaker) is not even a proper party to the proceedings before the court, and his absence will not impede the court’s ability to proceed with the hearing of the matter.”

He added, “It is even improper for the first defendant to be joined in this action; the proper defendant should solely be the Attorney General.”

The AG's remarks followed the Speaker’s intention to hire personal counsel for the case.

He further argued that the case could have been adjudicated without the defendant's counsel.

Earlier today, the Supreme Court dismissed an application by Alban Bagbin, who sought to overturn the Court’s ruling that suspended his declaration about the said parliamentarians.

This follows an initial suit filed by Effutu MP Alexander Afenyo-Markin, challenging the Speaker's declaration.

• Read also: Seat vacancy controversy: Supreme Court rejects Speaker’s application to set aside its earlier ruling

The Speaker's legal team argued that the Supreme Court lacked jurisdiction in this case, among other grounds canvassed in court.

At the end of the day, the Supreme Court adjourned to substantive case to November 11.

Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has also given the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin until Wednesday, November 6, to file documents.