Minority wants AG removed over 499 law students admission issues

The Minority in Parliament has filed a motion to remove the Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, from office.

According to the NDC MPs, the Justice Minister has refused to comply with a directive from Parliament to facilitate the admission of some 499 students into the Ghana School of Law.

Parliament on October 29, passed a resolution directing the General Legal Council (GLC) to admit the 499 candidates who were denied admission to the Ghana School of Law.

The House resoundingly voted in support of a motion filed by Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin.

The Effutu MP prayed the House to compel the GLC to admit all candidates who passed the entrance examination per the advertised rules.

Parliament directed the Attorney General to ensure this resolution was adhered to by the Council.

However, the Attorney General wrote back to Parliament saying the House cannot direct the GLC on its admission processes by resolution.

“Whilst recognizing the general legislative powers of Parliament in Ghana, except as have been circumscribed by the Constitution, I am constrained to advise that Parliament is devoid of power through the use of Parliamentary resolutions, to control the process of admission into the Ghana School of Law.

“The mode of exercising legislative power enshrined in article 106 of the Constitution does not admit of resolutions.”

But in a memorandum addressed to the Speaker of Parliament by Minority Chief Whip, Mohammed-Muntaka Mubarak, the Minority wants the Speaker to schedule a censure vote on the Attorney General.

“That this Honorable House passes a vote of censure on the Honourable Attorney General and Minister for Justice Mr. Godfred Yeboah Dame, in respect of the following conduct: Refusal, without justifiable basis, to implement the resolution of this Honorable House unanimously passed on October 29, that the General Legal Council admits into the Ghana School of Law, 499 students who sat for and passed the entrance examination of the Ghana School of Law for the 2021/22 legal year In accordance with its own published ground rules, Impugning the image and integrity of this Honorable House through statements unbecoming of the holder of the office of Attorney General and Minister of Justice of this Republic”, the memorandum read.

Speaking on Ahotor Fm’s morning show, Member of Parliament for Sagnerigu and a member of the Communications committee in Parliament Hon. A.B.A Fuseini say the Attorney General is bias in his dealings.