Dafeamekpor sues Bagbin over alleged vacant Parliamentary seats

Ghanaian

Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, the Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dayi, has filed a legal action against Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin in the Accra High Court, challenging the status of four parliamentary seats.

In his writ, Dafeamekpor seeks a court directive requiring the Speaker to clarify if the four MPs who reportedly vacated their seats to contest

Read full articleupcoming elections under new political banners still retain their positions in Parliament.

The South Dayi MP argues that these MPs should no longer be allowed to participate in parliamentary proceedings, as they have opted to stand for election with parties other than the ones that initially brought them into the legislature. He contends that any involvement of these MPs in parliamentary activities after October 17 is "unlawful and illegal," citing Article 97(1)(g) and (h) of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, which governs the conditions under which MPs must vacate their seats.

Dafeamekpor has specifically named Andrew Amoako Asiamah (MP for Fomena), Cynthia Mamle Morrison (MP for Agona West), Kwadwo Asante (MP for Suhum), and Peter Yaw Kwakye-Ackah (MP for Amenfi Central) in his suit. He is requesting that the court direct the Speaker to bar them from accessing Parliament, effectively ending their participation in legislative duties.

The case has stirred debate in Ghana’s legal and political circles. While some support the Speaker’s decision, others argue that the action lacks a legal basis.

Meanwhile, the Speaker on October 31, issued a communique recalling Members of Parliament to sit on Thursday, November 7.