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The Minority in Parliament has described Speaker Alban Bagbin’s decision to eject Damongo MP Samuel Abu Jinapor from the chamber as “an act of parliamentary bullying,” arguing that the order should have been withdrawn after the MP retracted his claim.
Hon Abu Jinapor was directed to leave the chamber by the Speaker, after alleging that diplomatic passports had been sold for about $50,000. He did not provide evidence for the allegation during the exchange.
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin told journalists on Wednesday, November 4, that Hon. Jinapor withdrew the claim when asked to clarify his remarks.
He said the Speaker nevertheless maintained the order for the MP to leave.
“Upon clarification, he expressly stated, ‘Mr Speaker, I withdraw.’ He repeated that withdrawal. Yet the direction that he leaves the chamber was maintained,” Afenyo-Markin said.
He argued that the withdrawal should have allowed proceedings to continue without further confrontation. The Minority considered the Speaker’s response disproportionate, he added.
Afenyo-Markin said the Minority’s Foreign Affairs Caucus would present material to support its claims, including allegations that the sale of diplomatic passports had become an illicit trade.
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By: www.frontpageghana.com
