A researcher has dragged the Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin to the Supreme Court for permitting the House to proceed with the anti-LGBTQ+ bill despite pending legal actions.
The Researcher, Dr Amanda Odoi, argues the Speaker has demonstrated contempt and disregard for court processes in her suit.
According to court documents, Mr. Bagbin has consistently violated and shown complete disregard for the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana and the court process.
“The respondent has continually violated and shown utter disregard for the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana and the court process. That the respondent’s clear, intentional and continuous disregard of the court process necessitates the Respondent being sanctioned for contempt in the public interest and to protect the dignity of the Court,” the documents state.
They argue further that the Speaker’s conduct, in directing or causing Parliament to proceed with the Second Reading of the bill despite the pending lawsuit and related interlocutory injunction application, disregards and disrespects the authority of the Supreme Court.
The disregard is said to interfere with the outcome of the pending litigation, bring the administration of justice into disrepute, and undermine public confidence in the judicial system.
Dr. Amanda Odoi is one of two citizens who have sued the Speaker of Parliament and the Attorney General regarding the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, which adds to the ongoing debate and controversy surrounding the proposed legislation, with stakeholders expressing divergent opinions.