The Minority Chief Whip in Parliament, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has defended comments made by the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo Markin, concerning a Circuit Court 9 judge presiding over the ongoing case involving the Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Kwame Baffoe.
The controversy stems from remarks made by Afenyo Markin, in which he criticised the handling of the case and stated that he would continue to challenge what he described as a misapplication of the law by the presiding judge. His comments, made in relation to proceedings where Abronye is facing charges including offensive conduct likely to disturb public peace and the publication of false statements against a judicial officer, have triggered strong public and institutional reactions.
Speaking during a workshop for Minority MPs, Frank Annoh-Dompreh maintained that the Minority Leader’s position was not an individual stance but the collective view of the entire caucus. He insisted that the position had been carefully considered and added that any party who disagreed was free to pursue legal remedies, including contempt proceedings, if they deemed it necessary.
His remarks effectively reinforced the Minority leadership’s position while intensifying the political tension surrounding the case and the comments made about the judiciary.
The situation has also prompted sharp criticism from the opposition National Democratic Congress, National Democratic Congress, which has called for Parliament to investigate the statements made by the Minority Leader. The NDC argues that such remarks risk undermining judicial independence and eroding public confidence in the courts.
A member of the NDC Legal and Communications Committee, Victor Kwadjoga Adawudu, has stressed that although Members of Parliament enjoy parliamentary privileges, they must exercise restraint and responsibility, especially when commenting on active judicial proceedings. He urged Parliament to take up the matter and ensure accountability, stating that standards of propriety must apply equally to all lawmakers regardless of political affiliation.
The remarks by Afenyo Markin have since sparked wider debate within political and legal circles over the boundaries of parliamentary speech, respect for judicial authority, and the extent to which elected officials may publicly critique ongoing court proceedings.
