Minority files motion to review Bagbin’s ruling on proposed drug trafficking probe

The Minority in Ghana's Parliament has filed a motion to review Speaker Alban Bagbin's ruling that deemed their proposed parliamentary inquiry into drug trafficking through Ghana as inadmissible. This ruling came after the Minority attempted to secure a bipartisan parliamentary inquiry into major narcotics seizures linked to the country.

Speaker Bagbin's decision was based on the potential prejudice it could cause to ongoing criminal proceedings involving approximately 21 individuals in four separate narcotics-related cases. The Minority's motion, filed by First Deputy Minority Whip and Tolon MP Habib Iddrisu, invokes Standing Order 127 of Parliament's Standing Orders.

The Minority's Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, emphasized that the move was not meant to undermine the Speaker's authority, but rather to challenge what the Minority perceives as a limitation on Parliament's constitutional oversight powers. Afenyo-Markin highlighted several major narcotics seizures involving consignments linked to Ghana, citing concerns about the country's ability to prevent the trafficking of illicit drugs through its ports and other entry points.

He argued that Parliament's proposed inquiry was aimed at investigating potential weaknesses in public institutions responsible for preventing drug trafficking, and not to determine the guilt or innocence of individuals facing criminal charges.

Brief written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.