The Minority Caucus in Parliament has launched a scathing protest against what they called “a blatant and repeated assault” on parliamentary privileges by national security agencies.
The Caucus, in a strongly worded petition to Speaker Alban Bagbin, accused the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) of “reckless disregard” for constitutional procedures in its attempt to arrest Assin South MP, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour.
The Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, who signed the petition, condemned the NIB’s attempt to detain Fordjour at his residence on April 9, 2025. The MP, who recently made explosive claims about state-linked cocaine trafficking and money laundering, was reportedly targeted without following due process.
“This was not just a procedural slip—it was a deliberate and arrogant violation of parliamentary immunity. The NIB’s actions show contempt for the Speaker’s authority and a dangerous erosion of democratic safeguards,” the memo charged.
The petition cited Speaker Bagbin’s April 2 directive, which explicitly reminded security agencies that MPs must be engaged strictly under Articles 117 and 118 of the 1992 Constitution—provisions shielding lawmakers from arbitrary arrests and ensuring proper protocols for investigations.
“This is part of a disturbing trend. Security agencies are acting like rogue elements, trampling on the rights of elected officials with impunity,” the Minority fumed, pointing to past incidents involving MPs Mustapha Ussif (Yabga/Kubori) and Kwame Asare Obeng (Gomoa Central).
Demanding immediate action, the Minority called on Bagbin to reassert parliamentary authority by enforcing constitutional protections for MPs, summon national security chiefs to account for their unlawful overreach, and issue a public reprimand to deter future violations.
“If security agencies can flout the law to harass MPs, what stops them from targeting ordinary citizens? The Speaker must act decisively before this lawlessness spirals out of control,” the Minority warned.