The Minority Caucus in Parliament has expressed their displeasure over the alleged attempt by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) to arrest the Member of Parliament for Assin South Constituency, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour.
They have formally petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to disapprove the move by the NIB on how they engage MPs, describing the move as harassing and intimidating to the MPs.
According to the petition signed by the Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the attempted arrest occurred on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at Ntim Fordjour’s private residence.
The Minority stressed the NIB action undermines the dignity and sanctity of Parliament, thereby disregarding existing parliamentary protocols.
“I write on behalf of the Minority Caucus Leadership to formally express concern over the failure of certain national security and intelligence agencies to respect the directives issued by your high office regarding the agreed procedure for engaging Honourable Members of Parliament in investigations or related matters.
He also cited a letter addressed to the NIB on April 2, 2025, reiterating these protocols which are grounded in Articles 117 and 118 of the 1992 Constitution.
“Respectfully Sir, you will recall your clear and unequivocal guidance provided to ensure that MPs are approached through the established channels that respect the dignity of their office and the sanctity of parliamentary work. This is again recently evidenced by your letter addressed to the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) on 2 April 2025, reiterating these established protocols that were grounded in Articles 117 and 118 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic; as well as the prevailing protocols established with the national security and intelligence agencies to engage the Hon Member for Yabga/Kubori, Hon Mustapha Ussif and the Hon Member for Gomoa Central, Hon Kwame Asare Obeng”, he said.
The Minority alleged that the attempt to arrest an MP is not an isolated incident, citing similar attempts to engage MPs of Yabga-Kubori Constituency, Mustapha Ussif, and Kwame Asare Obeng of Gomoa Central Constituency.
They argue that these actions pose a threat to the separation of powers and the respect accorded to elected representatives.
The petition also urged the Speaker of Parliament to take urgent steps to reaffirm the earlier directives and engage National Security heads to ensure that interactions with MPs are conducted in accordance with the constitution and with the decorum befitting their status as representatives of the people.
Find the petition below:
VA/AE
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