NDC MP for Bolgatanga East and former Deputy Attorney General Dr Dominic Ayine has described as indecent the activities of the current Parliament of Ghana led by Professor Mike Ocquaye.
According to the MP, the Speaker and the Majority Leader Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu in an attempt to frustrate and disregard issues raised by Minority members on the floor of the Parliament of Ghana decided at all times to describe these issues as incompetent.
Dr. Ayine said these actions by the Speaker and the Majority leader make the day to day activities of the house indecent.
In a radio interview, Dr Ayine said he raised point of order and not a motion, he was just seeking to point to the House that the content of the vetting report of Martin Amidu should not be discussed in a manner that will send the wrong signal to the Supreme Court of which a lawsuit has been filed.
But the Speaker believed there was no injunction served the House and for that matter, the content can be discussed as the various arms of government must have mutual respect for each other but not one submitting to the other.
Parliament of Ghana: Halt debate on Martin Amidu's Approval
Former Deputy Attorney General, Dominic Ayine has asked the Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Mike Ocquaye to halt the parliamentary debate on the approval of Special Prosecutor nominee, Martin Amidu, due to the on-going Supreme court case against his eligibility.
In a parliamentary sitting today Monday February 20, the former deputy attorney general rose on Order 93(1) of Standing Orders pointed out that it would not be appropriate to debate Martin Amidu's approval when there is an ongoing Supreme court case leveled against the Special prosecutor nominee which the long end will prejudice the case.
However, Majority leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu described Ayine's point of order as an incompetent application. According to the Majority leader, the evidence provided by the former deputy attorney general was not enough to prove any point.
Parliament approves Martin Amidu as Special Prosecutor
Parliament of Ghana has approved Martin A.B.K Amidu as Ghana's first Special Prosecutor amidst several altercations from both sides of the house during the debate on the Appointment Committee's reports.
Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Mike Ocquaye in the course of the debate rejected a request by NDC MP for Bolgatanga East constituency, Dr. Dominic Ayine to halt the parliamentary debate on the approval of Martin Amidu as Ghana's first Special Prosecutor.
Quoting standing orders of parliament, Dr. Dominic Ayine requested that the speaker rules on whether the house can debate an issue which is being heard by the court.
"I humbly invite the speaker of Parliament, to make a determination in respect of the matter which is pending before the Supreme court on the qualification or eligibility of the nominee who is the subject matter of the report.
Ayine Sues AG and Martin Amidu
NDC MP Dr Dominic Ayine has sued the State challenging the eligibility of Martin Amidu as the Special Prosecutor nominee due to his age.
Martin Amidu, who is the second defendant, is expected to be vetted Tuesday, February 13, 2018, by Parliament.
Dr Ayine, who is the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP for Bolgatanga East, is praying the Supreme Court to halt the appointment because 66-year-old Amidu is gone past the retirement age for public office holders.
Dr Dominic Ayine is seeking seven reliefs:
a) A declaration that by a true and proper interpretation of Articles 190(1)(d), 199(1), 199(4), and 295 of the 1992 Constitution, the retirement age of all holders of public offices created pursuant to Article 190 (1)(d) is sixty (60) years, anyhow not beyond sixty-five (65) years;
Minority in Parliament begins a sit down strike
Minority in Parliament has today February 7, 2018, began a sit-down strike over what they described as a decision by the Majority side not to recognize their importance on the floor of the House.
The Minority has on Wednesday, February 7 asked only three questions but refused to comment on any other business in the House and did not participate in a Finance Committee report that was discussed thereafter.
They also did not second any motion on the Floor including on the adjournment of the House when the proposal was made by the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu.
The Minority staged a walkout in Parliament on Tuesday when the ‘cash for seat’ investigative report was being debated in Parliament, which they believe reflected only the views of the Majority side on the committee.
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