The Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has justified the decision of the minority to boycott parliamentary sitting to accompany Dr Cassiel Ato Forson to court as he faces trial in the Ambulance case.
The position of the minority comes after Ato Forson’s plea to absent himself from court on some days to attend to parliamentary duties, a plea the court denied.
As a result, the minority has threatened to boycott sitting to follow the minority leader to court to show solidarity.
Mr Dafeamekpor, speaking on Eyewitness News with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Wednesday, June 11, emphasised the need for the court to acknowledge the significant role of the minority leader in scheduling hearings.
He pointed out that the court typically allows for rescheduling when the suggested date is inconvenient for any party involved.
“We are not making a demand, We are saying that when a court clerk suggests a day and it is not convenient for a party, that is made clear to the party or his lawyer. Yesterday and Friday, Ato Forson couldn’t attend the parliamentary service board meeting because he was supposed to be in court. Statutory duties, he wasn’t there to perform it.
“…He is to appear in court by midday if we commence official business in the morning and you are truncated because you have to be in court and perhaps when you are back from court you may not be able to complete the business before the day ends so it is a clear disruption.
“We are saying that we do not attend to parliamentary business on Mondays, So, is it not convenient for matters to be considered on Mondays of every week?” he quizzed.