Murtala Mohammed, Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, has said that his colleague Kennedy Agaypong, Member of Parliament for Assin Central, should not be roaming free in any nation where democracy works effectively.
He felt that Mr. Agyapong had engaged in wrongdoing throughout the years for which he should have faced consequences under the law.
His remarks came after Speaker Alban Bagbin reported Mr. Kennedy Agaypong to Parliament’s Privileges Committee for his remarks against a Multimedia Group journalist, Erastus Asare Donkor.
On Friday, July 9, Mr. Agyapong reportedly threatened to harm Mr. Asare Donkor on his television station “for the journalistic work that the latter did during the recent gunshots and killing event in Ejura.”
Mr. Agyapong was officially charged by the Multimedia Group.
On July 14, Alhassan Suhuyini addressed the issue on the House floor and requested the Speaker to send it to the Privileges Committee.
He said “Mr. Speaker, I think that as a former journalist I feel obliged to draw the House’s attention to this conduct of an Honorable colleague of this house which in my view, brings this house into disrepute.
“Mr. Speaker, I urge you to exercise your powers under 27 and refer this conduct of the Honorable which is becoming unacceptable, to the Privileges Committee to ascertain the veracity of the comments that were made and recommend sanctions if possible that will act as a deterrent to other members who may be tempted to act like him.”
In response to Mr. Agyapong’s request, the Speaker referred him to the committee.
He said that he cannot rule on Mr. Kennedy Agaypong because of his comments against a Ghanaian journalist.
He said that the choice to evaluate whether or not the behavior reeks of abuse of privileges lies with the legislators as a House.
“As it is now, I am compelled to refer it to the Privileges Committee. I want to emphasize that it is the House that will make the decision, it is not the speaker, it is not any other person apart from the House.
“That will be your collective wisdom that come to the conclusion whether what is alleged is just a mere allegation or is supported by facts and whether those facts constitute contempt of the House and abuse of a privilege of members,
“It is important for me to emphasize here that the privilege and immunity of free speech apply in full force in plenary session and committee sessions, not when members are outside debating issues or on radio and TV. You do not have the right, privilege, or immunity to say anything you want because you are a member of parliament.
“We are not above the law. It is for good reasons because you represent a large number of people, you should be given the full immunity to be able to say what the people say they want you to say. That is why you say it here and you are covered.
“That immunity doesn’t extend to you anywhere else. So pleased the committee should go into the matter, submit the report.”
Murtala Mohammed stated on Joy TV on Thursday, July 15, in response to this event, “To be quite honest, in a genuine democracy, that guy should not be a free man walking.”
In the instance of Ahmed Suale, and I am not accusing him of killing Ahmed Suale, this guy’s photos were placed on his TV, and he urged others to harm him, and the gentleman was killed within weeks or months. This guy is a free man on the loose because everyone in the NPP, including the President, is afraid of him.
“I believe our democracy deserves better.”
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SOURCE: ATLFM ONLINE
