Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin’s lawyer, Thaddeus Sory, has said that as a result of the Supreme Court’s ruling to reverse Bagbin’s designation of four seats in Parliament as vacant, there is no order or directive against the Speaker.
The Supreme Court ruled in its entire ruling on Thursday, November 14, that a member of parliament can only be deemed to have resigned from office if they switch parties and continue to serve in Parliament under their new identity.
The decision, which supported a lawsuit filed by Majority Leader Alexander Afeyo-Markin, explicitly stated that Articles 97(1)(g) and (h) of the Constitution only apply to the present parliamentary term and do not cover future periods or situations in which an MP might run for reelection under a new party.
If a member of Parliament changes parties while still serving under their new affiliation, the court stressed, their seat would be vacated.
The court did not issue an order requiring the MPs to be permitted to return to Parliament or directing the Speaker to acknowledge their return, Sory explained in a Facebook post on Thursday.
“There is no order saying that the MPs must be allowed in Parliament or order directing that Parliament recognize the said MPs as earlier ordered by the Court contained in the majority decision of the Court,” he stated.
Adding that “The order staying execution of the Speaker’s ruling is NOW SPENT.”
Source: Citinewsroom