No MP will be shielded from the law – Bagbin

Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that all Members of Parliament (MPs) are held accountable for their actions, saying no lawmaker will be shielded from the due process of the law.

Addressing Parliament after police invited Asutifi North MP Ebenezer Kwaku Addo for questioning over an alleged attack on the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), Mr. Bagbin said parliamentary privileges do not place MPs above the law.

“This is a formal communication on a reported attack on a NAIMOS team, not on privileges and immunities. The honourable member is being investigated; he has not been convicted,” the Speaker stated.

“We want to erase the perception that MPs are shielded from accountability. The fact that you hold a position doesn’t make you above the law.”

Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga also expressed support for the Speaker’s position, saying lawmakers must lead by example when it comes to respecting state institutions.

He explained that since Parliament passes the laws and approves funding for security agencies, MPs must submit themselves to lawful investigations.

Mr. Ayariga confirmed that Mr. Addo had honoured the police invitation and appeared before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) with his lawyer. The MP has since been taken to court for arraignment.

Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, however, denied the allegations that he incited a mob against the NAIMOS task force in the Ahafo Region, insisting he did not obstruct their work.