PPA 'fights' Parliament over Speaker's use of private law firm instead of A-G – Report

The Public Procurement Authority (PPA) is reported to have objected to a decision by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to procure the services of a private law firm as legal representatives.

According to a report by Asaaseadio.com, the PPA has rejected a request by the Parliamentary Service of Ghana to procure the services of Messrs Sory@Law instead of relying on the Attorney-General’s Office for legal representation.

Referencing a letter signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the PPA, Frank Mante, and dated December 22, 2022, the report noted that the PPA, in response to a November 15, 2022, request by Parliament, said its board was unable to approve the decision by the legislative house to engage the services of Sory@Law using the single-source procurement method.

Contrary to the request of Parliament, the PPA suggested that the Office of the Attorney-General be relied on for legal services by the state institution.

“At the 31st Board Meeting of the 5th Board held on Thursday, December 8, 2022, the Board could not approve your request to use the Single Source Procurement Method to engage Messrs Sory@Law as an external solicitor to support Parliament and the Parliamentary Service at a retainer fee of GHS5,000.00 and a specific fee for the conduct of constitutional cases in the Supreme Court at a fee not exceeding GHC300,000.00,” the PPA’s letter to the Clerk to Parliament is quoted as stating.

“The Board noted that, since the Attorney General is the Principal Legal Advisor, the Board is of the considered opinion that Parliamentary Service should continue to use the services of the AG in all legal matters,” the PPA letter to the Clerk to Parliament, Cyril Kwabena Oteng-Nsiah, further added.

Sory@Law is said to have represented Parliament in various cases during the 2023/2024 legal year.

Meanwhile, Sory@Law, acting as legal representatives to the Speaker of Parliament, has filed an application to challenge a ruling by the Supreme Court suspending a declaration of four seats as vacant by the Speaker.

In an application dated Monday, October 28, 2024, Sory@Law, lawyers for the Speaker, said the Supreme Court, among other issues, had no jurisdiction in hearing the interlocutory application by the Leader of the New Patriotic party (NPP) caucus, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, which led to the court’s October 18, 2024, decision.

GA/KA

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