The Supreme Court has scheduled Tuesday November 11 to deliver a judgment the disputed decision by Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin to declare four parliamentary seats vacant.
This case has stirred debate over the constitutional powers of the Speaker and the judiciary’s role in parliamentary oversight.
The dispute began when Alexander Afenyo-Markin, leader of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary caucus, challenged Speaker Bagbin’s decision to unilaterally declare the seats vacant.
Bagbin made the declaration on October 17, 2024, citing alleged constitutional violations by the MPs in question, which he argued justified their removal from office.
However, Afenyo-Markin contends that Bagbin acted beyond his authority by bypassing judicial oversight and neglecting to initiate by-elections.
Central to the case is Bagbin’s interpretation of the 1992 Constitution, with the Speaker maintaining that his actions were within his powers to uphold parliamentary integrity.
Afenyo-Markin argues that only the judiciary has the authority to interpret the Constitution in such matters, and that Bagbin’s actions disenfranchise the affected constituencies by denying them representation in Parliament.
Complicating the proceedings, Speaker Bagbin’s counsel, Thaddeus Sory, did not appear in court on Monday, November 11, and no statement of case was filled
