Go to court in your own interest – The former clerk urges Ayariga

General News of Sunday, June 9, 2019

Source: Myjoyonline.com

2019-06-09

The Bawku central deputy, besieged in power, was asked to get rid of any criminal charges rather than avoid the court.

Samuel Ntim Darkwa, former Clerk of Parliament, said: "I am afraid that a member of parliament is not charged with a criminal offense, it does not give him the right to say that he is not a member of Parliament. he will not appear in court because he has the privilege to do so. "

According to him, it is up to Mahama Ayariga to free herself from any accusation of corruption, because "if you are indicted in court, it undermines your own integrity and your efficiency is reduced."

Mr Darkwa adds that "for a Member, you should not be accused of moral turpitude or corruption".

Mahama Ayariga is the subject of criminal prosecution as a result of an allegation of tax evasion against her from the Special Prosecutor's Office.

He initially refused invitations to the courts claiming his immunity as a parliamentarian.

As a result, Ayariga was not in court when his case was called Tuesday morning.

But the seasoned parliamentary researcher said that the court should not be looking for a member to clarify his name.

Instead, the member in question should be seized as soon as possible: "go to court to establish his innocence or otherwise.

According to Darkwa, the constitution forbids any criminal to run for parliament.

"You can not become a member of parliament if you are a criminal. And therefore, if you are accused of being a criminal, you must surrender quickly to establish your innocence, "he said.

Meanwhile, an earlier decision by Ayariga not to honor the High Court's invitation scandalized Judge Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe, who forced her to order the MP's lawyers to present him on Tuesday at 1 pm later.

Although the member respected the deadline of the court, he did so after having requested the intervention of the Speaker of Parliament.

The decision of the president who baderted the immunity of the Bawku central MP led to what many described as a conflict between the legislature and the judiciary.

But Samuel Ntim Darkwa said the controversy was useless. This could have been avoided if the President had been contacted about it.

"If the president is informed that a member is wanted for such an offense, normally, I think he will let him go," he added.

This will not be the first time this has happened, said Mr Darkwah, referring to a case involving a former Keta MP, Dan Abodakpi, accused of financial embezzlement.

He attended all court hearings when he became a person of interest to the court. he added

As a party to the body that defined parliamentary privileges, including immunities, he stated that these clauses were formulated in the interests of the House.

Parliament requires the presence of members to constitute a quorum, without which the work of Parliament can not continue, he said.

At the end of the debate, the speaker can only take a decision if about half of the members are present and voting.