- “The law is the law, and I think this matter can be solved by the MP simply walking to the police and assisting them in investigation unless he wants to enjoy the drama,” Darko said
The private legal practitioner Sammy Darko is warning that the impasse between the police and Parliament over the invitation of the MP for Madina could become chaotic if it is not handled well.
His comment comes after the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, told the police that he is unable to release Francis-Xavier Sosu to assist in their investigations.
The police are seeking the National Democratic Congress (NDC) lawmaker to answer questions about his alleged involvement in a protest in his constituency which led to an “unlawful road blockade and destruction of public property”.
Honour invitation
Speaking with Nana Yaa Mensah on The Asaase Breakfast Show on Monday (1 November 2021), Darko advised the MP to honour the police invitation voluntarily to bring the impasse to an amicable end.
“I have noticed that the new leadership of the Police Service will want to assert its authority. I have also seen that the Speaker of Parliament wants to assert his authority. We cannot take out the politics,” Darko said.
“This could also turn political because you notice the youth of the constituency – and from what I have read – have been the main pillars preventing the police from arresting the MP … it is getting into the midst of law and politics and when it’s law and politics it can get bizarre.”
He added: “But the law is the law, and I think this matter can be solved by the MP simply walking to the police and assisting them in investigation unless he wants to enjoy the drama.”
The petition
Sosu petitioned the Speaker of Parliament to cite Assistant Commissioner of Police Isaac Kojo Asante, regional operations commander, and Assistant Commissioner of Police Eric Winful, the Adenta/Abokobi divisional commander, for contempt of Parliament.
He said the police tried to take him forcibly to the station for questioning without relaying the motive to him.
Sosu further said the two police officers failed to acknowledge him as a sitting MP who had a parliamentary call to attend and could not be apprehended until the Speaker of Parliament is contacted.
“It took the intervention of the teeming youth to rescue me and lead me to my vehicle where I finally sped off from the scene,” Sosu said.
“Mr Speaker, I consider the said conduct as not only being unprofessional and against Police Service Instructions, but also an act which turns to undermine [sic] the authority and dignity of Parliament and a Member of Parliament,” he added.
Failed arrest on Sunday
On Sunday (31 October), Sosu escaped another arrest at the Believers House of Prayer Ministries in Madina.
NDC supporters massed up at the church as security men reportedly arrived there to pick him up.
The Minority Chief Whip, Muntaka Mubarak, was seen in a clip widely circulated on social media whisking his colleague MP away to an undisclosed location.
Condemnation
Meanwhile, the MP for Ningo Prampram, Sam George, has questioned why security personnel were present at the church.
“So why is the Ghana Police Service disregarding a directive from the Rt Honourable Speaker of Parliament on the intention to arrest the Honourable MP for Madina, Lawyer Francis-Xavier Sosu?” he asked in a Facebook post.
“Who are the police officers at the church premises at Ritz Junction in Madina seeking to arrest the MP?” he continued. “Is the IGP aware of this order and what it means in the face of Mr Speaker’s directives?”
George added: “Well, we can assure the IGP and the police officers involved that the full might of Parliament’s Privileges Committee would be brought to bear on their actions if they want a show down.
“Enough of the disrespect for Parliament. The constitution is clear on the processes to arrest a sitting Member of Parliament. We would respond in full measure and drastically! That is a promise!”
Fred Dzakpata
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