The minority in parliament on Thursday raised issues with the immunity of Assin South Member of Parliament, Rev Ntim Fordjour, arguing it may have been breached following the attempted raid on his residence in connection with his recent drug trafficking allegations.
The search involving security operatives from National Security sparked a heated debate after footage showing the operatives entering Fordjour’s house went viral.
Rev. Fordjour recently alleged that the Kotoka International Airport may have been used for suspicious drugs and money laundering activities.
In response to the search, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin suggested that Rev. Fordjour’s parliamentary immunity may have been breached.
He pointed to an established protocol, explaining that when MPs are needed for a search or investigation, security agencies must first send a written request to the Speaker of Parliament. The Speaker would then arrange for the MP’s release…
“I don’t understand why the government is defying such an arrangement with Parliament,” Afenyo-Markin said.
“We are going to prompt the Speaker about this incident. The Minister for the Interior, who is responsible for national security matters and who is also a Member of Parliament, should also be written to because we don’t understand this ‘Rambo style’ approach.”
He added that this was particularly concerning because similar searches had been handled according to the established protocol in past parliaments.
Afenyo-Markin condemned the search, emphasising that it created an atmosphere of insecurity for MPs.
“What we saw this morning was appalling. Armed police bringing National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) officials into the matter means no MP is safe, no politician is safe,” he stated. “What they have done is a breach of privilege and unity. It’s so obvious.”
“If any letter had been written for this matter, it would have been brought to my attention. When letters were written for Kwame A-Plus and other colleagues, they came to light. This is the same ‘Rambo style’ used when they attempted to arrest our brother from Akwatia,” he remarked.
In response to the security search and ongoing concerns, Joy News understands that the Minority in Parliament has formally petitioned the Speaker to act swiftly to uphold constitutional provisions and parliamentary protocols.
The petition calls for the Speaker to investigate the matter and ensure that Rev. Fordjour’s parliamentary immunity is respected, particularly in light of the search at his home.
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