Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has delayed ruling on a motion from Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who is challenging an earlier decision that halted a probe into alleged mass dismissals by the current government.
The motion seeks to overturn First Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor’s March 5 ruling, which blocked a parliamentary inquiry due to an ongoing court case, Henry Nana Boakye v. Attorney-General.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin believes that the decision wrongly applied the sub judice rule and could limit Parliament’s oversight functions.
The Effutu MP cited the Supreme Court’s recent ruling in Vincent Ekow Assafuah v. Attorney-General, which clarified that constitutional bodies should not suspend their work unless explicitly directed by a court.
He also referenced a 2012 decision by former Speaker Joyce Bamford-Addo, which allowed Parliament to deliberate on matters despite pending litigation.
“The people deserve robust legislative oversight,” Mr. Afenyo-Markin said, urging the Speaker to reverse the earlier ruling under Standing Order 127.
Speaker Bagbin, responding to the motion on Friday, June 13, 2025, said the matter required more time due to conflicting legal interpretations.
He acknowledged that past judicial rulings had advised Speakers to act cautiously when a case is pending, but noted that newer decisions appeared to support a different view.
Reflecting on his own experience, Mr. Bagbin said, “It’s important for us to take time to go through this,” adding that a balanced approach was needed to respect both parliamentary procedure and constitutional law.
A final decision on the motion is expected at a later date.