The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has indicated to the police that the House is very concerned about the shooting incident that occurred at the Islamic Senior High School (SHS) and is waiting for a report on it.
Speaker Bagbin noted that the outcome of the police report would determine whether or not Parliament should also conduct further investigations.
“…but if the police is actually investigating the matter now, what we can do as a House is to immediately show concern; visit the police and let them know that we are awaiting their report. Then after the report, we are entitled to take further actions.”
Mr. Bagbin expressed Parliament’s intention on the incident when the Minority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament (MP) for Asawase, Mr. Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, fell on Order 70 of the Standing Orders of Parliament to make an urgent statement on the incident on the Floor yesterday.
It would be recalled that on Monday June 13, some 30 students of the Islamic SHS at Abrepo in the Ashanti Region were rushed to the hospital after police allegedly fired tear gas on them, while they were demonstrating over frequent road accidents in front of the school.
In his submission, the Asawase Legislator called on the House to probe the circumstances surrounding the matter.
Citing the Ejura, Nkoranza, and Ayawaso West Wuogon incidents, Mr. Mubarak said the instances of police brutality were getting out of hand, and that Parliament must act on it.
Though he admitted that the police had taken steps by interdicting some of its officers in the region, it was not enough.
“It is not enough. It is not enough because we know how the police have operated in the past where they will take this initial steps and that ends it,” the Asawase MP said, and urged the House to constitute a committee to probe the incident.
However, the majority Chief Whip and MP for Nsawam/Adoagyiri, Mr Frankline Annor Dompreh, while commenting on the statement said that inasmuch as he support a call for investigations into the issue by the House, the Inspector General of Police had already initiated an investigation and so it would be better for parliament to allow the police to conclude its investigations to avoid duplication of work.
“…However, because the IGP has issued some orders that some investigations should be conducted into this matter, I am not sure that Parliament at the same time should also be doing another investigation on the same matter. Then it will mean concurrent investigations will be conducted at the same time.”
He said Parliament should wait for the Police to finish its investigations before they can take any further action.
“For two institutions to conduct two concurrent investigations into the same matter is a matter that is worrying and Mr Speaker, we will need your guidance on this matter.”
Speaker Bagbin then indicated that Parliament will not initiate an investigation if it is true that the IGP has started an investigation.
He, however, noted that “This is a matter that is a test on the powers of this House and I expect that this House will take this matter serious”.
He, therefore, gave the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior a week’s ultimatum to pay a visit to the police to show the seriousness of the House and report back. He also directed that the committee should within that same period visit the school and commensurate with them.
“I am saying that the Committee members should visit the police, starting from the IGP and to the Regional police command, the school in question, the hospital and then report back to the House by Tuesday.
“We await the final investigation of the police and if there is a need for us to do further investigation, we will do so, the Speaker added.
In concluding, he cautioned the police not to use live bullets in such a manner.
