Prof. Mike Oquaye recounts how he blocked Special Prosecutor’s attempt to arrest Bawku Central MP

Former Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye, has revealed how he intervened to stop the then Special Prosecutor from pursuing the arrest of Bawku Central MP, Mahama Ayariga, during his tenure as Speaker. Oquaye said his intervention was not politically motivated but was aimed at protecting Mr Ayariga’s constitutional rights and upholding parliamentary privilege.

“Honourable Ayariga was wanted by the previous Special Prosecutor during my tenure. I was very, very, very active in stopping the attempts because, you see, it is not a matter of NPP or NDC. “I was very much insistent on protecting his rights.

So much so that I invited the Special Prosecutor for an open meeting, so that we all follow the tenets of the Constitution,” he explained. He said he further documented his position in a letter to ensure that the matter was formally placed on record. “I supported it with a letter for the records.

His rights would not be abused,” Prof. Oquaye said his position was rooted in the constitutional principle of separation of powers and the protection of Parliament from undue interference by the Executive. “If you read my ruling… I traced the history of parliamentary privilege, including the infractions that took place even in England, and how it came to be strengthened, and the purpose behind it,” he said.

Oquaye maintained that parliamentary privilege must be respected if the constitutional separation of powers is to be meaningful. “You cannot have separation of powers in the Constitution if the Executive takes steps to shut up the opposition, and that harassment is not good,” he added. Aaron Mike Oquaye, has cautioned that the principle of separation of powers is undermined when the Executive uses state institutions to intimidate or silence members of the opposition.

According to him, parliamentary privilege and constitutional protections must be respected regardless of the political party involved. Oquaye stressed that protecting parliamentary privilege is essential to maintaining the constitutional balance between the arms of government. Oquaye made the remarks while explaining his handling of a case involving former MP for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, who was wanted by the Office of the Special Prosecutor during his tenure as Speaker.