NDC MP sues Speaker over vacant parliamentary seats

The Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has filed a lawsuit against the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, in the Accra High Court.

In his writ, Dafeamekpor is asking the court to require the Speaker to provide clarity regarding the status of four vacant parliamentary seats.

He argues that the Speaker must confirm that these four MPs have relinquished their positions to stand as independent candidates in the forthcoming elections. Additionally, he seeks a ruling that any parliamentary actions involving these members after 17 October are unlawful.

Mr. Dafeamekpor asserts that the ruling from 17 October is still applicable, as the Speaker's actions were supported by provisions in Article 97(1)(g) and (h) of the 1992 Constitution. He is asking the court to prohibit Mr. Andrew Amoako Asiamah (Fomena), Mrs. Cynthia Mamle Morrison (Agona West), Mr. Kwadwo Asante (Sohum), and Mr. Peter Yaw Kwakye-Ackah (Amenfi Central) from participating in parliamentary activities.

This situation has ignited a debate within the legal community, with some defending the Speaker's actions while others argue that they contravene parliamentary laws. Since the Supreme Court opposed the declaration of the vacant seats, Parliament has been at a standstill. On 18 October, the Supreme Court granted a stay on Speaker Bagbin's ruling that declared four seats vacant, which will remain in effect until the Court reaches a final decision.

The stay was sought by NPP MPs through an ex parte application, which means that Speaker Bagbin and Parliament were not involved in this legal action.

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