Former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Freddie Blay, has commented on the recent tensions between the judiciary and legislature following Speaker Alban Bagbin’s declaration of four parliamentary seats as vacant.
Freddie Blay clarified that the issue was a matter of constitutional interpretation, falling squarely within the judiciary’s jurisdiction.
The Speaker’s controversial decision led Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin to petition the Supreme Court, which overturned Bagbin’s declaration in a 5-2 ruling.
The court cited constitutional provisions under Article 97(g)(h) of the 1992 Constitution as the basis for its decision.
The ruling has sparked debates about a perceived power struggle between the judiciary and the legislature.
However, speaking on Point Blank on Friday, November 22, 2024, Freddie Blay dismissed these concerns. He emphasized that this was a straightforward constitutional matter, not a conflict between the two arms of government.
“There was no clash, clearly, between the judiciary and the legislature. It was an issue of interpretation and it is spelt out clearly in the constitution due to that. When it comes to the question of interpretation, it is in the domain of the judiciary. The judiciary is tasked with the interpretation of the constitution in this country.
“Properly, there are roles, but when it comes to specifically the Constitution, it’s exclusive to the Supreme Court and I believe that is what the 5 justices of the Supreme Court determined,” he stated.
Vacant seats: Read Supreme Court’s full judgment on Bagbin’s declaration
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