Speaker Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin has clarified that security agencies are not required to seek his permission before arresting or inviting Members of Parliament for questioning.
Addressing the House on Thursday May 21, 2026, Bagbin explained that the law only mandates that he be informed of incidents involving MPs and the allegations against them.
“The security agents that the speaker is only informed of incidence involving members of parliament as to whether they have gone on the wrong side of the law or not,” Bagbin said. “It’s not for the security agents to seek my permission before arrest. It’s not.”
He outlined the procedure, stating that security agencies must inform him of the circumstances or suspicions, allowing him to determine whether the MP holds parliamentary privilege.
“It’s for them to inform me and include the circumstances or the allegations that has created the suspicion. Then I go through the law and then apply the law as to whether the person is in a privileged situation or is from what is taking place.”
The Speaker explained that he raised the issue to correct public misconceptions regarding parliamentary immunity.
“I am saying this because there’s some perception that they need the permission of the speaker before a member can be apprehended or even invited to respond to inquiries,” he said.
“That is not the state of the law,” Bagbin stated.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana