Speaker of Parliament, Alban Kingsford Bagbin, has clarified that security agencies are not required to seek his permission before arresting or inviting a Member of Parliament for questioning.
Rather, he said, their responsibility is to formally inform his office once such action is taken, along with the circumstances and allegations behind it.
Addressing Members of Parliament during the Second Meeting of the Second Session of Parliament on Thursday, May 21, Mr. Bagbin said there is a growing misunderstanding that security agencies must first obtain approval from the Speaker before acting against lawmakers.
He explained that his office’s role is limited to being notified, after which it may assess whether parliamentary privilege or immunity is engaged in the matter.
“It’s not for the security agents to seek my permission before arresting or inviting a Member of Parliament for questioning. It’s not. It’s for them to inform me and include the circumstances or the allegations that have created the suspicion,” he said.
Mr. Bagbin added that once notified, Parliament can then determine whether any constitutional protections apply in each specific case.
The clarification comes amid renewed public debate over the legal protections afforded to MPs in criminal investigations and the limits of parliamentary immunity.
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