Parliament suspended sitting temporarily for MPs to decide whether the Bawku Central MP, Mahama Ayariga, should appear in court or not over alleged tax evasion and fraud.
The Speaker’s decision to suspend the House is to allow for consultations leading to his ruling on the said matter.
Earlier, the Bawku Central MP made an application to the speaker to rule and give direction on the issue following his summons to court to face charges proffered against him by the Special Prosecutor in court.
Making his case before the speaker, Mr. Ayariga said stressed his willingness “to go to court and defend myself and prove my innocence.”
“But I want us to appreciate that under the constitutions of Ghana, there is a limited immunity granted to honorary members of parliament,” he added.
The constitution notes that:
Mr. Ayariga has challenged the Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, who is pursuing him in court over claims.
He insists that the Special Prosecutor must follow due process as he probes the allegations.
Mr Amidu sued Mr Ayariga and subsequently wrote to the Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye to “release” the Bawku Central legislator to appear in court on Tuesday, June 4 to answer to some criminal charges against him.
But the MP who just returned from Abuja on Parliamentary duties described the invitation as “inappropriate” and will not honour it.