Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has moved to clear the air on a longstanding misconception about the powers of his office regarding the arrest or questioning of Members of Parliament. He clarified the opening of the Second Meeting of the Second Session of Parliament on Thursday, May 21.
The Speaker was emphatic that neither he nor Parliament’s leadership holds any authority to approve or block law enforcement agencies from arresting or inviting an MP for questioning. His office’s role, he explained, is simply to be kept in the loop — not to act as a gatekeeper.
What the law requires, according to Bagbin, is that security agencies formally notify the Speaker’s office of any action taken against an MP, along with the details of the allegations or circumstances that triggered the investigation. Once notified, his office then assesses whether parliamentary privilege or immunity is applicable under the law.
“It’s not for the security agents to seek my permission before arresting or inviting a member of parliament for questioning. It’s not. It’s for them to inform me and include the circumstances or the allegations that have created the suspicion,” the Speaker stated. His remarks are expected to serve as a reminder to both lawmakers and law enforcement agencies about the proper constitutional boundaries that govern such matters.
