Professor Stephen Adei has urged Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to reconvene Parliament and uphold the current status quo in compliance with a recent Supreme Court ruling.
In an interview on on Wednesday, November 13, he stressed that the judgment is binding on all, including the President.
This followed a 5-2 decision by the Supreme Court, which deemed the Speaker’s declaration of four vacant seats unconstitutional.
Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo stated at the ruling on November 12, 2024, that the Speaker’s action could not stand.
Professor Adei warned that non-compliance by Speaker Bagbin could lead to contempt of court charges, potentially resulting in imprisonment.
However, he acknowledged that the Speaker holds the discretion not to recall Parliament from recess, though this choice could also be contested in court.
Recognizing the Speaker’s complex position, Prof. Adei noted that although Parliament is adjourned, the most straightforward solution would be “to recall Parliament, maintain the status quo for the remaining weeks, and allow the legislative body to fulfill its duties until the session’s end on January 7.”
He added that when Parliament reconvenes, “it should be a straightforward legal issue and not a constitutional or governance issue.”
