Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has been cautioned by retired Supreme Court Justice William Atuguba that there will be severe repercussions if he disregards or fails to follow the Supreme Court’s ruling.
By a majority vote of 5-2 on Tuesday, the Supreme Court reversed Speaker Bagbin’s designation of four seats as empty, returning the House to its previous state.
Justice Atuguba, who formerly held the position of interim Chief Justice, clarified in an exclusive interview with JoyNews’ Elton Brobbey that the Speaker might be imprisoned for up to 10 years or prohibited from holding public office if he disobeys the court’s directives.
“In light of this decision, he is bound by the ruling of the Supreme Court,” he said.
“It is not necessarily 10 years; the Speaker must serve a term of imprisonment not exceeding 10 years. Additionally, he could face a 10-year disqualification from holding public office. If you are a president, you are also liable to removal,” Justice Atuguba added on Tuesday.
Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, the NDC MP for South Dayi, said that before the Supreme Court’s ruling can be implemented, the House must meet again and follow specific procedural requirements because Parliament is now on indefinite suspension.
“Parliament is not a one-man entity; it is an entire organization, an organ of the state. Therefore, this ruling must go through certain procedural processes to be implemented,” he said.
“So, it is not an automatic thing; procedures must be followed,” Dafeamekpor concluded.
