Majority, Minority In Paper War Over Madina MP’s Police Case

The two sides of Parliament are in a tug-of-words over the ongoing attempt by the Police to arrest the MP for Madina, Francis Xavier Sosu, and the MP’s refusal to yield to the arrest with the backing of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin.

Earlier on Thursday, the Majority side had released a statement taking a swipe at the Speaker for refusing to release the MP for interrogation.

“The Majority Leadership in Parliament notes with extreme concern the refusal of the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin to release the Member of Parliament (MP) for Madina, Francis-Xavier Sosu, to the Ghana Police Service to assist with investigations into alleged offences committed during a recent demonstration in his constituency,” wrote the Majority in their statement.

It added, “The Majority Leadership views the foregoing response by Speaker Bagbin as a troubling departure from how his predecessors handled such requests.”

In response the Minority side also released a statement noting with “great consternation and disappointment the Press Statement by the Majority Leadership. The Minority Leadership considers the Press Statement as an attempt to undermine the Authority of the Rt. Hon Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin and weaken the Institution of Parliament,

It added, “We are a country governed by law and we the Minority will always uphold the cardinal principles of natural justice guaranteed under the Constitution. We will continue to uphold and respect those democratic values and ethos.”

The Ghana Police Service has been trying to bring in the MP for interrogation over his involvement in a demonstration by his constituents which turned violent.

The MP has since notified parliament of the incident, a thing that has led to the Speaker summoning two police officers.

In response, the Police has interdicted the MP’s personal bodyguard and gone to court for an order.

The MP is expected to appear before the court on November 8, 2021, although his spokesperson insists no court summons have been served on him.