The probe into the vetting chaos will proceed in accordance with parliamentary process, according to Speaker of the House of Representatives Alban Bagbin.
This is true even if a bipartisan appeal resulted in the suspension of four members of parliament being lifted.
Among the MPs suspended were Jerry Ahmed Shaib, Alhassan Sulemana Tampuli, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, and Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, the Minority Chief Whip.
The Speaker took disciplinary action against them after they were suspended for causing disorderly disturbances during the vetting of ministerial nominees
Speaker Bagbin clarified that lifting the suspension did not end the special committee’s ongoing inquiry into the incident, despite pleas from the Majority and Minority leadership.
“I promise you, the investigations will continue. The report will be brought to the house.”
“The house will have an opportunity to take a decision. That is the procedure outlined by our rules, by our practice, and by custom and convention of the house,” the Speaker reiterated.
“Self-regulation is better than external regulation, and so please, this matter should be handled by the special committee at the committee level, and report to us.”
“I’ve told the leaders to make themselves available to the committee and to state exactly what happened because we want nothing but facts, nothing but the truth, so that we can apply the rules correctly.”
Emmanuel Bedzrah, the MP for Ho West, is the chair of the special committee, which has been charged with determining who caused the disruptions and suggesting suitable measures.
The committee was advised by the Speaker “not to make it a matter of public debate.”
“What you know here is not known by the public. What you do here is also not known by the public. And so when you rush to the public, one word can confuse the whole country, but that word will be understood differently in this house.”
The affected MPs are expected to return to their parliamentary duties immediately as the suspension is lifted.
Nevertheless, as the committee continues its probe, they and other politicians can still be asked to testify.
The results are anticipated to improve order in legislative proceedings and guide future disciplinary actions.
Source: newsthemegh.com