The Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has referred the MP for Assin Central Kennedy Agyapong to the Privileges Committee of the House over threats on Multimedia reporter Erastus Asare Donkor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He will be investigated to establish whether he was indeed in contempt of Parliament as reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This was after Tamale North MP Alhassan Suhuyini moved a motion for the Assin Central lawmaker to be referred to the Committee over what he calls inciteful comments against the Multimedia Journalist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The NET2 TV owner, on the same station, had allegedly called for \u2018serious\u2019 beating of Erastus Asare Donkor. He also threatened in a live telecast that if he (Honourable Agyapong) \u201cwere the president of Ghana, he would have ensured that Erastus Asare Donkor is beaten mercilessly\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moving the motion, Mr Suhuyini said \u201corder 78A reads \u2018unless any order otherwise provides, notice shall be given of any motion which is proposed to make except the following: a motion relating to contempt of parliament.\u2019 Mr Speaker, I rise on this motion to pray you to exercise your powers under order 27 which also reads \u2018notwithstanding anything contained in these orders, Mr Speaker may refer any questions of privilege to the Committee of Privileges for examination, investigation, and report.’\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He went on \u201cI, therefore, call on you to exercise your powers under Order 27 to refer Hon Kennedy Ohene Agyapong whose acts and conducts continue to offend the dignity of Parliament and bring it into disrepute as captured under order 30(2).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Speaker referring Mr Agyapong to the priveledges committee said \u201cthe House\u2019s attention is drawn to the conduct of one of our members and under Order 27, which I want to quote says \u201cnotwithstanding anything contained in these orders, Speaker may refer any question of privilege to the committee of priveledges for examination, investigation, and report.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn spite of the word notwithstanding, the speaker in giving his discretion may request any question of Privileges. I think that\u2019s why the honorable member is seeking my intervention to refer the matter to the privileges committee.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added \u201cthis is my first time hearing this matter. As it is now, I am compelled to refer it to the priveledges committee. It\u2019s a matter the priveledges committee will have to go into and then report to the House and it is for the house to decide whether the hon. member is contemptuous of the House.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn the circumstance, I direct that this matter be directed to the committee of privileges for investigation and report, I so direct.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Source: Ghana\/Starrfm.com.gh<\/p>\n\n\n\n