Immunity for MPs Don’t Cover Political News Conferences – Inusah Fuseini Tells Minority
A former Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Alhaji Inusah Fuseini has clarified that the immunity enjoyed by Members of Parliament does not cover political press conferences.
According to the Private legal practitioner and former chairman of the Constitutional Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, and Ranking Member of the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs explained that the immunity of Members of Parliament during debate is on the floor of the House.
This is because the constitution sought to protect Members of Parliament from being dragged to court when they make statements on the floor of Parliament.
The 1992 constitution provides immunities and privileges to Members of Parliament (MPs) under Articles 115 to 120, primarily to protect the independence and dignity of Parliament. This immunity ensures that lawmakers debate freely without fear of any legal consequences.
In addition to that, MPs cannot be arrested or detained while going to, attending, or returning from Parliament. However, this immunity and privilege does not apply to criminal offenses, which means that MPs can be arrested for criminal acts.Speaking on the attempted arrest of the Assin South Member of Parliament and Ranking Member of the Defence and Interior Committee of Parliament on Peace FM’s ‘kokrokoo’ Morning show on Thursday, April 10, 2025, the astute legal practitioner stated, “the immunity and privileges of Members of Parliament during debates is on the floor of the House. The framers of the drafters of the Constitution did not want MPs to suffer any defamatory suits based on their debates in Parliament.”
He added, “It is not an immunity that attaches to a Member of Parliament outside Parliament. The law did not say that if you say something defamatory of another outside Parliament the law will protect you. If you organise political press conferences, you are not covered by the immunity of Parliament”.
Source : Kobina Darlington/Peacefmonline.com