The arrest of Atta Akyea is politically motivated - Minority

Accra, July 13, GNA- The Minority Caucus in Parliament on Wednesday said the arrest of the NPP Akim Abuakwa South legislator Mr Samuel Ata Atta violated the letter and spirit of the 1992 Constitution especially, article 117.

He said the article provided that, "Civil or criminal process coming from any court or place out of Parliament shall not be served on or executed in relation to the Speaker of member or the Clerk to Parliament while he is on his way to attending at or returning from any proceedings of parliament.

At a press conference addressed by the Minority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the group said the arrest had deep political colouration as it amounted to selective justice which was a characteristic of the Mills-Mahama led administration. He mentioned Parliamentary Standing Order 22 as another provision which questioned the politically motivated deeds of the Attorney General (AG).

He noted that the arrest also subverted article 116 of the 1992 Constitution which according to him, held that for such an action to be taken, the Speaker must be duly informed adding, the Speaker Mrs Joyce Bamford Addo confirmed that she was not aware.

He wondered what was so urgent about and special about a private and totally lawyer=96client legal tussle which should prompt the Attorney General to ignore the mandate of article 117 and 118 of the constitution and cause the arrest of the parliamentarian. "What is the state's interest in a case in which Zoe, Akyea & Co. had sued J. Adom Ltd and Joseph Adom for a legal fee of GH C85, 693.28," he asked.

"Records reflect that the Attorney General of the day did not give Mr Twumasi Appiah, the NDC member for Sene, who was accused of some gold dealings such a treatment as a sitting Member of Parliament," he said.

According to the Minority leader, record existed that the Attorney-General had stated that he would not prosecute the National Women Organiser of the NDC Anita de Souza and her driver for driving over a group of people of Abomosu regarding the Atiwa bye=96electoral violence but bent on using his powers of prosecution against a political opponents.

He called on the government to arrest Mr Baba Jamal who declared "Jihad" which led the NDC tugs to cause mayhem during the Akwatia bye-elections adding, government must arrest the Agbogbloshie murderers also.

"The NDC has scant regard for due process and procedure hence this resort to intimidation and unconstitutional practices," he said. "We assure the AG that such being his resolve, we will appropriately position ourselves to do legal battle with him if that is what will curtail such whimsical resorts," he said. Mr Atta Akyea locked horns with J. Adom Ltd in a legal tussle in which Mr Akyea was arrested yesterday for alleged fraud in recovered legal fees. 13 July 11