Agalga defends Bagbin’s order to expel Jinapor from Tuesday’s Parliamentary session

The Majority Leader in Parliament, James Agalga, has defended Speaker Alban Bagbin’s decision to order the Member of Parliament for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor, out of the chamber, insisting that MPs are not permitted under the Standing Orders to argue with or engage the presiding officer in a debate. He said Mr Jinapor should have complied immediately when the Speaker repeatedly directed him to withdraw an allegation he had made against the Member of Parliament for North Tongu and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, over claims that service passports were being sold.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Wednesday, November 4, Mr Agalga said parliamentary procedure required an MP who was challenged to substantiate an allegation to either provide evidence or withdraw it when directed by the Speaker. He explained that where an allegation could not be supported, objections could be raised, after which the Speaker could direct the member responsible to retract the statement.

Mr Agalga said although Mr Jinapor eventually withdrew the allegation, his reluctance to do so and his attempts to engage the Speaker in an argument had prolonged the confrontation. “He attempted to engage the Speaker in a debate. The Standing Orders do not permit members to engage the Speaker in debates,” he said. The Majority Leader stressed that MPs were required to resume their seats once the Speaker began addressing them, rather than challenge his directions or exchange arguments with him.

“When the Speaker starts talking, members are even expected to resume their seats. Those rules are contained in the Standing Orders. You immediately resume your seat. You don’t engage the Speaker in banter. You cannot debate the Speaker,” he said. Speaker responsible for order Mr Agalga said the Speaker had the responsibility to maintain order and discipline in the House and that MPs were expected to respect the authority of the chair.

He cautioned against judging the incident solely from short video clips or sound bites circulating after the proceedings, saying they did not capture the full exchange between the Speaker and the Damongo MP. “From what I understand, he withdrew the comments,” he said, adding that the withdrawal came only after the Speaker had repeatedly prompted Mr Jinapor to retract the allegation.

The confrontation occurred during parliamentary proceedings on Tuesday, November 3, when Mr Jinapor claimed to have evidence that diplomatic passports were being sold for between $10,000 and $50,000. The allegation was challenged by the Majority Leader, who demanded that the Damongo MP substantiate the claim or withdraw it. Speaker Bagbin subsequently issued the same directive.

After a prolonged exchange, Mr Jinapor eventually announced his withdrawal of the allegation. The Speaker, however, ordered the Marshal of Parliament to escort him out of the chamber, prompting the Minority caucus to stage a walkout in solidarity with him. Mr Agalga maintained that the Speaker’s authority to enforce parliamentary procedure was central to preserving order in the House.