Kennedy Agyapong referred to Privileges Committee again

Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong, has been referred to Parliament’s Privileges Committee for inciting the public against undercover investigator Ahmed Hussein-Suale.

Aasawase MP Muntaka Mubarak who raised the issue on the floor of Parliament said his colleague was in contempt of the House for the behaviour he believes resulted in the death of the Tiger Eye PI investigator.

“I make this complaint of contempt of Parliament against my own colleague for the embarrassment and uncalled for comments and incitement of the public against a member of the public that unfortunately led to the death of the gentleman.”
This is the second time Mr Agyapong has been referred to the Privileges Committee. In June last year, he was hauled before the Committee for describing the legislature as a useless place.

This time, Mr Agyapong will go before the Committee in relation to the death of Ahmed, who was shot three times- twice in the chest and the neck- earlier this month.
He has publicly spoken against Ahmed and investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, prior to and after the airing of the Number 12 documentary which sought to expose corruption in Ghana Football.
Mr Agyapong who was against the workquestioned the methods used in its production and queried the integrity of the producers, Tiger Eye PI.

Ahmed is said to be a key partner to Anas and was keenly involved in the production of the Number 12 documentary.

Ahmed was shot thrice – twice in the chest and once in the neck at Madina in Accra
He ranted and raved and in typical fieriness on his television station, NET2 TV, the MP who had already threatened to deal with Ahmed, called for him to be beaten and proceeded to show photographs of him. The photographs were widely circulated, revealing the identity of the man who otherwise should have been unknown.
The Minority has already called on the police to arrest Mr Agyapong and question following the death of Ahmed but have gone a notch further to request that he is interrogated by the Privileges Committee.

Mr Muntaka is of the view that the behaviour of the controversial MP is unacceptable and he must be made to answer for it.

Muntaka Mubarak wants Parliament to act against Mr Agyapong

Referencing Article 112 of the 1992 Constitution, which states “An act or omission which obstructs or impedes Parliament in the performance of its function or which obstructs or impedes a member or officer of Parliament in the discharge of this duty or affront to the dignity of Parliament or which trends either directly or indirectly to produce that result is contempt of Parliament,” the Asawase MP believes Mr Agyapong’s behaviour constitutes contempt of Parliament, therefore he should be questioned.
“My emphasis here is the affront to the dignity of Parliament…our Standing Orders, 28, also confirms this,” he said, citing, in addition, the oath each member swears before the House when elected.

For him, Mr Agyapong’s attitude is a clear violation of not only the standing orders of the House, the oath he swore but also the laws of the country which speak clearly against inciting public or any person to engage in unlawful acts.

Police are investigating the undercover investigator’s death
Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu agreed for Mr Agyapong to be referred to the Committee because the matter, in his view, is not one that should be litigated on the floor of the House.
”I don’t think that where we are now, we have to litigate this matter on the floor, let it got to the Privileged Committee and they will decide whether a breach has occurred or not.”
The Speaker of Parliament Prof Mike Ocquaye, in agreement, moved for the matter to be referred to the Committee for “consideration and report.”
Source:  Myjoyonline.com |