Majority caucus deny meeting judiciary over e-levy suit

The Majority Caucus in Parliament has describe as “reckless” and “irresponsible” comments made by Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa stating that, the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu has become the mouthpiece of the Supreme Court.

This comes after the NDC lawmaker in an interview said, “very puzzling how Majority Group Leader and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has become the official mouthpiece of the Supreme Court as he asserts that our case on the unconstitutional passage of the repugnant e-Levy is “dead on arrival.”

“What gives him such unabashed effrontery and what does he know that the rest of us do not know?Certainly the kind of condemnable conduct which undermines the independence and credibility of the judiciary — another transgression that would only aggravate the legitimate fears of National Security Minister Kan Dapaah.”

Reacting to the comment in a statement, the Majority side said the comment by the lawmaker who is one of the parties in the suit against the implementation of e-levy “draws the attention of bias for the Judiciary.”

In addition, the Majority Caucus believes the comment creates “vicious consequences” for the country’s democracy.

Read the full statement below: 

Majority Leader Has Not Met Judiciary

The Majority Caucus in Parliament takes a strong exception to repeated comments by the Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa insinuating that the Majority Leader may have held secret meetings which equip him with the foreknowledge on what would be the outcome of the suit at the Supreme Court, which seeks to invalidate the passage of the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy).

Mr. Okudzeto Ablakwa ‘s reckless insinuations, in addition to direct irresponsible allegations from him that the Majority Leader, Mr. “Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has become the official mouthpiece of the Supreme Court” are condemnable and destructive.

It is expected that the right-thinking members of the Minority Caucus he belongs and the political party he represents, would draw his attention to a picture of bias his comments creates for the Judiciary and the vicious consequences thereof for our democracy.

The Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has not had and would not have any such clandestine meetings in any form whatsoever with the Judiciary over this or any other suit.

It remains our legal opinion that the suit currently before the Courts, lacks merit and would be dismissed accordingly.