Habib Iddrisu Questions Bagbin Motion Rejection: Ghana Narcotics Inquiry Blocked

• Habib Iddrisu, Deputy Minority Chief Whip, expressed surprise after Speaker Alban Bagbin rejected his motion for a parliamentary narcotics inquiry.
• The motion sought an Ad Hoc Committee to investigate major drug seizures, including 3.9 tonnes of cocaine linked to Ghana.
• Parliament had been recalled on September 29 under Article 112(3) of the 1992 Constitution due to concerns over these drug seizures.
• Iddrisu argued his motion mirrored the memorandum that prompted the Speaker to recall Parliament.
• Despite his confusion, Iddrisu acknowledged the Speaker's ultimate authority over admitting motions.

The Deputy Minority Chief Whip found the Speaker's rejection particularly perplexing, given his belief that the motion directly reflected the concerns outlined in the memorandum that originally prompted the parliamentary recall.

Habib Iddrisu, the Tolon MP and Deputy Minority Chief Whip, expressed profound surprise and confusion regarding Speaker Alban Sumana Bagbin’s recent decision. The Speaker rejected a motion put forth by the Minority, which aimed to establish a parliamentary inquiry into significant narcotics seizures recently linked to Ghana.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express, Mr. Iddrisu conveyed his conviction that the Speaker would admit the motion, making its rejection unexpected after Parliament had been recalled from recess. This development occurred during a parliamentary sitting on a Tuesday, following the Speaker's earlier action to summon lawmakers.

The Minority caucus had previously petitioned the Speaker to reconvene Parliament, driven by escalating concerns over major drug seizures involving consignments with connections to Ghana. A pivotal incident prompting this call was the discovery of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine at France’s Port of Dunkirk. This substantial illicit cargo was found within a container that had originated from Ghana.

These events, according to the Minority, raised critical questions about the integrity and effectiveness of Ghana’s ports, the robustness of its customs controls, the efficacy of intelligence gathering operations, and the overall strength of narcotics enforcement efforts within the nation. Responding to these pressing concerns, Speaker Bagbin formally recalled Parliament for an extraordinary sitting, which commenced on September 29. This recall was executed under the authority of Article 112(3) of the 1992 Constitution and Order 53 of the Standing Orders of Parliament.

Prior to the extraordinary sitting, Mr. Iddrisu had formally submitted a private members’ motion. This motion specifically proposed the formation of an Ad Hoc Committee, tasked with thoroughly investigating the aforementioned narcotics seizures and the broader circumstances surrounding consignments linked to Ghana. However, during the Tuesday sitting, Speaker Bagbin ultimately declined to admit this motion.

Mr. Iddrisu articulated his difficulty in understanding this decision, emphasizing his belief that the motion’s content was entirely consistent with, and indeed reflected, the very concerns detailed in the memorandum that had initially led to Parliament’s recall. He asserted that the motion contained "exactly the text" he had included in the memorandum requesting the recall, suggesting the Speaker possessed prior knowledge and information regarding the specific reasons for reconvening Parliament.

Consequently, Mr. Iddrisu described the Speaker’s rejection as entirely unexpected, given the perceived alignment between the motion and the justification for the recall. Despite his bewilderment, he acknowledged the Speaker’s inherent authority within the legislative body. He conceded that the power to admit motions, or to decline them, ultimately rests with the Speaker, as stipulated by the standing orders of the House.

While the Speaker reportedly offered "some reasons" for his decision, these were not detailed in the immediate reporting. The incident underscores the complexities of parliamentary procedure and the significant influence wielded by the Speaker, even when faced with calls for inquiries into matters of national security and public concern, such as the ongoing issue of Ghana drug seizures.

While a parliamentary inquiry into narcotics seizures linked to Ghana has been rejected, the underlying concerns about port security, customs controls, and drug trafficking remain prominent. Lawyers and compliance officers advising clients in logistics, trade, or financial services in Ghana should continue to monitor for potential increased regulatory scrutiny or enforcement actions related to anti-money laundering and supply chain integrity.

Source: Original reporting via Abubakar Ibrahim for Joy News