BAGBIN: SECURITY AGENTS DON’T NEED MY PERMISSION TO ARREST MPs, ONLY TO INFORM ME

Speaker Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin has clarified that security agencies are not required to seek his permission before arresting or inviting Members of Parliament for questioning.

Addressing the House today, Bagbin said the law only mandates thatz he be informed of incidents involving MPs and the allegations against them.

The security agents that the speaker is only informed of incidence involving members of parliament as to whether they have gone on the wrong side of the law or not, Bagbin said. It’s not for the security agents to seek my permission before arrest. It’s not.”

He explained the process: It’s for them to inform me and include the circumstances or the allegations that has created the suspicion. Then I go through the law and then apply the law as to whether the person is in a privileged situation or is from what is taking place.

The Speaker said he raised the issue to address misconceptions about parliamentary privilege. I am saying this because there’s some perception that they need the permission of the speaker before a member can be apprehended or even invited to respond to inquiries, he said.

That is not the state of the law, Bagbin stated.