Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame has argued that the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, should rely on the Attorney General’s office rather than his personal lawyers in the ongoing Supreme Court case concerning the status of four legislators.

The Supreme Court had earlier paused the execution of the Speaker’s ruling, which sought to declare the seats of these Members of Parliament vacant after they decided to contest as independent candidates ahead of the upcoming general election.

Dame stated that it falls under his office’s authority to represent public officeholders in legal matters, including the Speaker. “The Constitution designates the Attorney General as the defendant in all actions involving the government, including its parliamentary arm,” he emphasized.

Clarifying further, Dame noted, “The first defendant (the Speaker) is not even a proper party to the proceedings before the court, and his absence will not impede the court’s ability to proceed with the hearing of the matter.” He added, “It is even improper for the first defendant to be joined in this action; the proper defendant should solely be the Attorney General.”

The Attorney General’s remarks came after Bagbin’s indication that he would engage personal counsel for the case, which Dame argued was unnecessary for the court’s adjudication of the matter.

Earlier, the Supreme Court dismissed an application by the Speaker seeking to overturn its earlier decision to stay his declaration on the parliamentarians’ seats. This legal development follows a suit initially filed by Effutu MP Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who challenged Bagbin’s ruling.

The Speaker’s legal team argued the Supreme Court lacked jurisdiction over the matter, along with other grounds presented in court. The court has adjourned the substantive case to November 11, with Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo giving Bagbin until Wednesday, November 6, to file necessary documents.