Only ‘cheap men’ will shield Obuasi SHTS headmaster – Bagbin warns politicians against interfering in assault case

Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has cautioned political leaders against shielding or interfering in the case involving the interdicted headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School, Zakaria Abdulai, who is facing sexual misconduct allegations.

Describing attempts to support the headmaster as the actions of “cheap men”, Mr Bagbin warned that political figures who attempt to undermine the process would face serious consequences.

Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, November 10, he expressed disappointment with the conduct of some politicians who, he said, had treated the allegations as though nothing had happened, with some reportedly supporting the headmaster’s bid for a leadership position.

“It’s only cheap men who do that. You know? Yes. Please, let’s move away from that and do what is right. There is no society that has developed, to the best of my knowledge, by doing what is wrong. All the countries that you visit and you see they have developed; they have values that they treasure: integrity and honesty, very high,” he said.

Mr Bagbin said Parliament was closely monitoring developments in the case to ensure that justice was served, particularly for the students involved.

He warned political leaders against taking the matter lightly, stressing that those who attempt to interfere with the process would be held accountable.

“Some of us are still on the lookout. We are watching as to how this case is going to end. And those involved, particularly political leaders, if you joke with it, will punish you seriously because of this single case. We should take it very seriously. Leadership is a service, it is a sacrifice,” he said.

The Speaker also urged the Attorney General to consider reviewing existing laws to introduce stiffer penalties to deter sexual abuse offences.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has disclosed that investigations into the allegations at the school are 85 per cent complete.

He said evidence gathered so far points to a possible prima facie case against the headmaster.