Retired Supreme Judge, Justice William Atuguba, has warned Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin there will be dire consequences should he fail or refuse to comply with the judgment of the Supreme Court.
The apex court on Tuesday by a 5-2 Majority decision overturned Speaker Bagbin’s declaration of four seats as vacant restoring the status quo in the House.
In an exclusive interview with JoyNews’ Elton Brobbey, Justice Atuguba who at some point was acting Chief Justice explained that the Speaker could spend up to 10 years in jail or be barred from holding public office if he does not comply with the orders of the Court.
“In the face of this decision, he is bound by the decision of the Supreme Court.
“It is not necessarily 10 years, you must just suffer a term of imprisonment not exceeding 10 years. Not only that, 10 years disqualification of holding public office and if you are a president, you are liable to removal,” he said on Tuesday.
With Parliament currently on an indefinite suspension, NDC MP for South Dayi Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor says the House will have to get in session and take certain procedural steps before the judgment of the Supreme Court can be given effect.
“Parliament is not a one man entity, it is a whole organisation, it is an organ of state so this ruling must go through certain procedural processes to give it effect.
“So it is not an automatic thing, procedures would have to be followed,” he said.
Source: Richard Nana Appiah Kubi/Ahotoronline.com
