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17.10.2008 Politics

Doe Adjaho Escapes Bailiff

17.10.2008 LISTEN
By Daily Guide

THE MEMBER of Parliament (MP) for Ave Avenor, Edward Doe Adjaho, yesterday informed Parliament that a court official had attempted to serve him with a writ of summons after parliamentary proceedings, in connection with a case he did not disclose.

Meanwhile, he has been dragged to court by a member of his party over the Ave Avenor parliamentary seat where his right to represent the NDC is being challenged.

Hon. Adjaho, who is also the Minority Leader, stated that the attempted act was contrary to Articles 116(1) and 117 of the 1992 Constitution which were captured in the Standing Orders 21 and 22 of Parliament respectively on privileges and immunities of Members of Parliament.

He quoted for instance that Article 116 (1) states that “No civil or criminal proceedings shall be instituted against a Member of Parliament in any court or place out of Parliament for any matter or thing brought by him or before Parliament by way of petition, bills, motion or otherwise”; whilst Article 117 stipulates that “No civil or criminal process coming from any court or place out of Parliament shall be served on or executed in relation to Mr. Speaker or a Member or a Clerk of Parliament while he is on his way to attending or returning from any proceeding of Parliament”.

The Deputy Minority Leader has therefore petitioned the House to refer the matter to the Privileges Committee of Parliament for consideration.

Responding to the petition, the Second Deputy Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Alhassan Malik, MP for Yendi, who was in the chair of the Speaker in accordance with the rules and Standing Orders of the House, referred the matter to the Privileges Committee for consideration and report.

The House had to adjourn proceedings on the Consideration Stage of the National Pension Reform Bill at about 11:00am to today to enable Members of Parliament rush to their constituencies to file their nominations for the Presidential and Parliamentary elections which take place on Sunday December 7, 2008.

Two of the MPs, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for Akyem-Abuakwa South and Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom for Komenda/Edina/Eguafo/Abrem (KEEA), who are Presidential Candidates for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the Convention People's Party (CPP) respectively, yesterday filed their nominations at the Headquarters of the Electoral Commission in Accra.

By Awudu Mahama

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