*Speaker Bagbin Blocks Minority Push For Bipartisan Probe Into $1bn Cocaine Scandal*
Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has ruled against a motion filed by the Minority seeking a bipartisan parliamentary inquiry into major narcotics consignments linked to Ghana, including seizures valued at over $1 billion.
The Minority, led by Hon. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, had filed a motion to compel the House to investigate a string of massive cocaine seizures connected to Ghana including the 3.3 tonnes seized at Pedu Junction in March 2025 and the 3.9 tonnes seized at the Port of Dunkirk, France, on September 10, 2026, from a container that originated from Ghana.
The Speaker, however, ruled the motion inadmissible, citing the risk of prejudicing ongoing judicial proceedings. He invoked the sub judice rule, arguing that since four Ghanaians have already been arraigned before the Accra High Court over the Dunkirk bust, a parliamentary probe would interfere with the work of the courts.
"No agency is above the Constitution... but Parliament must also not act in a manner that prejudices ongoing judicial proceedings," the Speaker held in his ruling.
Minutes after the ruling, Minority Leader, Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, addressed a press conference to reject the Speaker's decision, describing it as an attempt to shield the Executive from accountability.
The Effutu MP argued that Parliament has a constitutional duty of oversight that cannot be suspended simply because a matter is before the court, especially when it involves issues of national security and Ghana's international reputation.
"The Speaker says we cannot investigate because the matter is in court. But Parliament has investigated matters that were in court before. What has changed? Democracy requires a strong Parliament.
A strong Parliament requires an effective Minority. A super majority must never become an excuse to weaken the Minority, silence scrutiny or diminish Parliament's duty to oversight," Afenyo-Markin stated.
He said the Minority had already secured more than the 15% constitutional threshold to force a recall of Parliament and that the Speaker's ruling was inconsistent with precedent and the Standing Orders.
"We have read the Standing Orders carefully. When coming to a conclusion in a sensitive motion such as what we call, the Speaker must be guided by precedent.
No agency is above the Constitution. No public institution should exercise power outside the law.
When Parliament is weakened, accountability is weakened," he added.
Afenyo-Markin said the Minority will not abandon the push, insisting the drug scandal has gained international notoriety and requires full transparency.
"This cocaine issue has gotten out of hand and has made Ghana gain notoriety as a drug transit point. Over $1 billion worth of cocaine linked to Ghana in less than two years. Who allowed the containers to leave our ports? Which of the 16 agencies in the value chain failed? No one has been fired. We need answers, not cover-ups."
He disclosed that the Minority will explore all options within the Constitution and the Standing Orders to ensure the matter is addressed, including re-filing the motion in a manner that addresses the Speaker's concerns.
"We are left with no option than to exercise an option within the Constitution and our own Standing Orders. Ghanaians deserve to know how we became a cocaine coast," Afenyo-Markin said.
Report by PKB
