Bagbin dismisses Minority motion on narcotics seizures as inadmissible

Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has declared a motion seeking a parliamentary inquiry into recent major narcotics seizures involving Ghanaian-linked consignments as inadmissible. This decision came during Parliament's emergency sitting on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. Mr Bagbin thoroughly examined the motion and its terms of reference, considering the ongoing investigations, pending judicial proceedings, Parliament's constitutional oversight responsibilities, and the House's Standing Orders.

He pointed out that there was significant factual overlap between the proposed parliamentary inquiry and the matters already under judicial scrutiny. Allowing the inquiry to proceed could lead Parliament to review transactions, assess the actions of various parties, and determine why specific decisions were made or opposed at Ghana's ports of entry.

Mr Bagbin argued that such an exercise might ultimately require Parliament to decide matters that are exclusively within the jurisdiction of a competent court. Proceeding with the motion, he said, could ultimately determine the very issues that the Court of Competent Jurisdiction is meant to address. The Speaker also expressed concern that moving forward with the motion could harm the interests of parties involved in the ongoing judicial proceedings.

He concluded by ruling, in accordance with Standing Orders 5, 6, and 103, Sub-Rule F, that the Party Member's motion is inadmissible.