Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has rejected a Minority motion seeking a bipartisan parliamentary investigation into major narcotics consignments linked to Ghana, citing concerns that the proposed inquiry could prejudice ongoing court proceedings.
The motion, filed on September 28 by First Deputy Minority Whip and Tolon MP Habib Iddrisu, called for the establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee to investigate how major narcotics shipments were processed, inspected, cleared and exported from the country.
The proposed inquiry was expected to examine several high-profile seizures, including 3.9 metric tonnes of cocaine intercepted by French Customs at Dunkirk on September 10, 2026.
It also cited the seizure of 320 kilogrammes of methamphetamine by the Australian Border Force in June 2026, as well as earlier cocaine interceptions at Takoradi and Pedu in Cape Coast.
However, delivering his ruling during Parliament’s emergency sitting on Tuesday, September 29, Mr Bagbin said the issues the proposed committee intended to investigate substantially overlapped with matters currently before the courts.
He explained that the inquiry could involve the examination of evidence, witnesses and the conduct of individuals whose actions or responsibilities might be relevant to the ongoing judicial proceedings.
“The proposed parliamentary enquiry will traverse factual matters directly connected with matters presently engaging the criminal justice process,” he said.
According to the Speaker, the committee would have to examine how the narcotics consignments were handled and assess the actions or omissions of various actors at the country’s ports of entry.
He cautioned that such an exercise could lead Parliament to make determinations on matters that fall within the jurisdiction of the courts.
“The combined effect of undertaking this evaluation, assessment, and investigation would be, at the end of the day, to determine the very issues that the Court of Competent Jurisdiction is supposed to determine,” Mr Bagbin stated.
He further argued that allowing the motion to proceed in its current form could affect the interests of parties involved in the pending cases.
“Accordingly, I am of the considered opinion that permitting the motion to proceed in its present form as presented by a Leader of the House at this particular time may prejudice the interests of parties to pending judicial proceedings,” he said.
Mr Bagbin consequently ruled the motion inadmissible under Parliament’s Standing Orders.
“I therefore rule, pursuant to Standing Orders 5, 6, and 103, Sub-Rule F, that the private member’s motion is inadmissible,” he declared.
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