The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has clarified that it is premature to consider the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kpandai, Hon. Matthew Nyindam, disqualified from the House. The Speaker addressed the implications of the Tamale High Court’s recent annulment of the 2024 Parliamentary election results for the Kpandai Constituency regarding the MP’s right to participate in Parliamentary proceedings.
Making a formal communication to the House, Speaker Bagbin stated that the period following the service of the High Court’s decision falls within the mandatory seven-day stay of execution order, which is valid until December 1, 2025. He emphasized that the court’s decision was an execution order, not a declaration of disqualification, confirming that the MP was within his rights to participate in the day’s debate.
The Speaker backed his clarification, affirming that Hon. Matthew Nyindam remains the MP for Kpandai until the expiration of the seven-day stay. He cited the Court of Appeal Rules, 1997 CI 19, as amended by CI 132 Rule 27/3, which mandates, “There shall be a stay of execution of judgement or decision appeal against for a period of seven (7) days immediately following a given notice of judgement or decision.”
Speaker Bagbin concluded that this mandatory rule applies to every High Court decision capable of being appealed.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
