Kpandai case sets the precedent – Habib Iddrisu challenges Speaker’s rejection of drug probe

Habib Iddrisu, the Deputy Minority Chief Whip, has contested Speaker Alban Bagbin's refusal to permit a parliamentary inquiry into major narcotics seizures connected to Ghana. During an appearance on Joy News' PM Express on September 29, Mr. Iddrisu vehemently disagreed with the notion that conducting such an inquiry would infringe upon ongoing court proceedings.

The Speaker's decision to dismiss the Minority's motion, made during an extraordinary session, was based on the overlap between the proposed parliamentary inquiry and ongoing investigations and judicial proceedings. Mr. Iddrisu argued that the Speaker's reliance on the Standing Orders should not override Parliament's constitutional authority.

He pointed to the Kpandai parliamentary dispute as an instance where Parliament took action while a matter was before the courts, emphasizing that Speaker Bagbin did not claim the ruling was impeded by the legal case. The dispute stems from a series of significant narcotics seizures involving consignments linked to Ghana, including the recent seizure of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine at the Port of Dunkirk from a container that had departed Ghana.

The Minority had called for Parliament to be recalled to address these concerns. However, Mr. Iddrisu contended that the Speaker's interpretation of the Standing Orders should not supersede Parliament's constitutional mandate. He referenced Article 103(3) of the Constitution, which grants parliamentary committees investigative powers, including the ability to conduct inquiries into ministerial and departmental activities and proposals for legislation.