Private legal practitioner and activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor has raised concerns about the procedural validity of Parliament’s recent passage of the controversial Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, suggesting that the legislation may have been approved without the constitutionally required quorum.
In a post shared on Facebook, Mr. Barker-Vormawor claimed that only 34 Members of Parliament were present at the time the bill was passed, casting doubt on whether proper legislative procedures were followed.
“Turns out the Anti-LGBTQ bill was passed without a quorum. Only 34 MPs? Hmmm,” he wrote, adding: “Over to the President. Cease and desist letter incoming?”
His comments have since generated widespread discussion on social media, intensifying debate over the legality and legitimacy of the legislative process.
The bill, which seeks to criminalise LGBTQ+ activities and related advocacy, was reportedly passed by Parliament following several amendments introduced at the committee stage.
The revised version includes provisions exempting certain categories of professionals and institutions from sanctions, including lawyers providing legal representation, journalists and media organisations reporting on LGBTQ+ issues, as well as medical professionals offering healthcare, counselling and psychological support.
The amendments were introduced following concerns raised during parliamentary deliberations and stakeholder engagements regarding their potential implications for professional practice, human rights, and access to essential services.
The updated bill faced strong opposition from the Minority Caucus in Parliament, which argued that the revisions exposed fundamental weaknesses in the original draft legislation.
According to Minority members, the inclusion of exemptions suggests that the bill, as initially presented, was flawed and required substantial revision before passage.
They further argued that the legislative process raises questions about consistency, legal clarity, and the enforceability of the proposed law.
