A former Member of Parliament (MP) for Tema West, Lawyer Abraham Osei Aidoo says the law only allow Members of Parliament to evade arrest when they are out or attending to business arising from proceedings of Parliament.
He said he strongly oppose suggestions that law enforcement agaencies need exclusive permission from the leadership of Parliament before any member of the house can be arrested.
His comments come following the the attempt by the police to apprehend the MP for Madina, Francis-Xavier Sosu after he led an ‘illegal’ protest against bad roads in his constituency.
Speaking on Plan B FM ‘Nkosuo Nsem’ with Ohene Addo, Lawyer Aidoo explained that MPs can be arrested if they go against the law.
“The MPs are only immune to arrest when they are preparing for, participating in and attending to business arising from proceedings of the Parliament, whether by committee of the whole or otherwise. I support protection of MPs, but they can be arrested if they break the law. The MPs are not super humans; there is nothing wrong with what the police did” he stated.
He also called for an amendment of the law on the privileges of parliamentarians to ensure that there is clarity on matters relating to prosecution of MPs if they fall foul of the law.
Source: Bernard Mensah
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