Former Abuakwa South MP, Samuel Atta Akyea Esq., has reminded members of parliament that no one is above the law, including Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin, if he were implicated in any wrongdoing.
Speaking on Prime News on ABC News GH, Atta Akyea stressed the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring that all parliamentary members remain accountable.
“It is for the Clerk or Speaker to figure out who is involved. If even the Minority Leader, Afenyo-Markin, is implicated, he is not above the law. We should all respect the law,” he asserted firmly.
Atta Akyea further elaborated on the potential consequences parliamentarians could face if found guilty of misconduct by the Privileges Committee. He warned that in the gravest cases, an MP could be expelled from Parliament permanently.
“One could be expelled permanently if deemed fit by the Privileges Committee,” he stated unequivocally, sending a strong message to all members of the legislative body.
Possible Sanctions in Ernest Kumi’s Case
Weighing in on the case of Ernest Kumi, the former MP detailed the possible sanctions that could be imposed, emphasizing the severity of the disciplinary actions available under parliamentary rules.
“You could be suspended in terms of Order 36, where you will not have the benefit of a salary. You could be reprimanded as the case might be. Then you could be expelled too,” he elaborated.
The Legal Battle and Court Process
Atta Akyea also advised Ernest Kumi seek legal counsel and ensure they follow due process, rather than attempting to evade justice.
“If I were him, I would get my lawyer, and then we would try and go to court, where the lawyer will seek for the bench warrant to be rescinded. Most decent judges will rescind the warrant, and then the MP will follow the process together with legal counsel,” he advised, suggesting a clear legal pathway for those in trouble.
He expressed discontent over the notion that MPs might attempt to use their positions to delay court proceedings, emphasizing that parliamentary status does not grant immunity from judicial processes.
“Sometimes it becomes bizarre when an impression is given that MPs want to evade court processes, hiding under the cloak of the office and giving process to the Speaker… You can’t hide permanently from the court processes. I don’t see how anyone will use Parliament’s rules to delay their legal obligations,” he stated pointedly.
A Call for Parliamentary Decency and Judicial Respect
The former legislator stressed the importance of MPs upholding a level of decorum when dealing with legal matters, stressing that the judiciary deserves equal respect as an arm of government.
“You have a right to a lawyer. And because you are an MP, there is some decency expected of you in responding to court processes. You should show respect to another arm of government. You shouldn’t disrespect it,” he concluded.
