The Kaneshie District Court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of human rights lawyer and Member of Parliament for Madina, Francis Xavier Sosu.
This was after the legislator, who has been charged for unlawfully blocking a public road and the destruction of public property, failed to appear in court for the third time.
When the case was called on Monday 29 November, 2021, counsel for the accused Victor Adawudu, told the court the MP is attending a parliamentary committee meeting and was, therefore, unable to show up in court.
He added that in view of the above challenge, his client had sent in a representation.
But prosecution disagreed. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Slyvester Asare, insisted the MP cannot send someone to represent him in a criminal matter.
He then urged the court to issue a warrant for the arrest of the MP.
“He has a clear intention and has demonstrated that to this court. Therefore, it amounts to disrespect to this court. No one is above the court. You have so many powers and nobody can undermine your authority,” ASP Asare urged.
Counsel for the Madina MP, again, stressed that the absence of his client was not deliberate as he (MP) had to attend to the business of Parliament.
The court presided over by Oheneba Kuffour sided with prosecution and issued the warrant for the MP’s arrest.
The case has been adjourned to January 12, 2022.
Earlier on October 25, the MP led some of his constituents to demonstrate against poor roads in the constituency.
During the protest, some of the protestors allegedly blocked roads, burnt tyres and destroyed some public property.
The MP was subsequently invited by the police for questioning but all attempts to get the MP before the investigation team was unsuccessful.
Later, the police sought permission from the Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin to invite the lawmaker to assist in investigations.
However, Mr. Bagbin declined to release him.
On two occasions, the MP failed to appear before the Kaneshie District Court, where he has been accused of unlawfully blocking a road and destroying public property during the protest.
The Speaker of Parliament explained that the MP was out of the country on parliamentary business at the last court hearing.