Speaker Trashes Minority’s Motion For Inquiry into Narcotics Seizures

The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has ruled that a Private Member’s Motion which seeks a substantive parliamentary inquiry into recent major narcotics seizures involving consignments is inadmissible.

The Speaker gave the ruling in Parliament on September 29, bringing an end to attempts by some Members of Parliament to push for a parliamentary probe into the recent drug-related interceptions.

The motion, which was filed as a Private Member’s Motion by First Deputy Minority Whip and Tolon MP Habib Iddrisu on September 28, was seeking to compel Parliament to institute a full-scale inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the major narcotics seizures.

However, after considering the motion, Rt. Hon. Bagbin ruled it inadmissible.

“The proposed parliamentary enquiry will traverse factual matters directly connected with matters presently engaging the criminal justice process. The combined effect of undertaking this evaluation, assessment, and investigation would be, at the end of the day, to determine the very issues that the Court of Competent Jurisdiction is supposed to determine,” he said.

“Accordingly, I am of the considered opinion that permitting the motion to proceed in its present form as presented by a Leader of the House at this particular time may prejudice the interests of parties to pending judicial proceedings. I therefore rule, pursuant to Standing Orders 5, 6, and 103, Sub-Rule F, that the private member’s motion is inadmissible,” he added.

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