The former Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Inusah Fuseini, has said the stand-off between Parliament and the police over an attempted arrest of the Madina MP, Francis-Xavier Sosu, could adversely affect Ghana’s democracy.
He said the two institutions must rather work together to strengthen the nation’s democracy.
“I deplore the stand-off between Parliament and the police because these are two critical institutions of the state,” Fuseini told the host of The Big Bulletin, Beatrice Adu, on Tuesday (16 November).
“Admittedly, Parliament is an arm of government but then the police are clearly established for the purposes of maintaining law and order and protecting lives and properties.
“And so, at all times we should accord some respect to the police service and Members of Parliament and Parliament as an institution. So, the stand-off is not good for our democracy. I mean, the police should help complement the activities of the Members of Parliament,” he added.
Fuseini’s comment follows the Speaker’s refusal to release the Madina MP, Francis-Xavier Sosu, to assist in investigations for his role in a demonstration in his constituency.
No show in court
The Madina MP missed court for the second time in a row at the Kaneshie District Court forcing the judge to adjourn sitting to 29 November 2021.
The police have filed charges against Sosu over “unlawful road blockade and destruction of public property” during a demonstration in his constituency.
The lawyer representing the accused person, Victor Kwadjoga Adawudu, told the court on Tuesday 16 November 2021 that his client pursuant to a letter from the Speaker of Parliament served on the court at the last sitting, is still out of the country and is expected to return next week.
Legitimate reason
Fuseini explained that Sosu has a legitimate reason for not showing up in court for the second time because he is out of the jurisdiction and reach of the court.
“If he’s out of the country, it can be a legitimate excuse. If the Member of Parliament is out of the reach of the court, the court can do nothing about that. And as a Member of Parliament, he cannot continuously be outside of Ghana, he’ll be back to serve his constituency and when he does, I’m sure he’ll abide to the summons of the court,” Fuseini said.
Nicholas Brown
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