General News of Friday, 5 July 2024

Source: classfmonline.com

IGP leaked tape: Speaker gags MPs

Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has issued a gag order prohibiting all Members of Parliament from publicly commenting on the IGP leaked tape report.

This directive follows disagreements among committee members over the final report.

During Thursday’s parliamentary proceedings, the Speaker instructed the parliamentary ad-hoc committee, which is investigating the alleged plot to remove Inspector General of Police Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, to reconvene and complete their inquiry.

"It is very clear that the committee has not completed the job... I direct that further deliberation of this matter be suspended and the committee be called upon to go back to further consider this matter," Speaker Bagbin said.

He highlighted that the ongoing dispute between Chairman Samuel Atta Akyea and Vice Chairman James Agalga of the investigative committee has created an unproductive environment, hindering the House’s ability to make an informed decision.

To maintain decorum and facilitate a more productive resolution, the Speaker issued the gag order, directing all Members of Parliament to refrain from publicly commenting on the matter until further notice.

In presenting the report, Mr. Agalga stated, "The work of the committee was consensual or unanimous in the sense that the Chairman did not have an original vote, and therefore this report is unanimous. It’s the unanimous verdict of the members who had original voting rights. So the chairman’s refusal to sign is inconsequential because this is a unanimous verdict."

However, Chairman Samuel Atta Akyea clarified that the committee’s report could not be comprehensive without investigating the serious allegations of extrajudicial killings levelled against the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

He emphasized the necessity of examining all aspects of the matter to ensure a thorough and impartial inquiry.

"Three of the members said the issue of investigating the extrajudicial killing is inconsequential to them; then what are we sitting there for?" he questioned.