The Kaneshi District Court has ordered for the arrest of National Democratic Congress' MP for Madina constituency, Hon Francis Xavier Sosu.
This follows the lawmaker's failure to turn up in the court for the third time.
Francis Xavier Sosu was officially charged with crime by the Ghana police after leading a violent demonstration with his constituents which led to the blockage and destruction of public properties.
According to report by the Daily Graphic Online the judge Oheneba Kufuor who presided over the case issued the bench warrant following a prayer by the prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police, (ASP )Mr. Sylvester Asare.
On Monday, 29 day of November 2021, the Lawyer for the lawmaker, Mr. Victor Adawudu challenged the power of the court to hear the case.
Also, the Lawyer said that his client was unable to be turn up in court because he was on the parliamentary committee that was working on the LGBTQI+ bill which is currently in Parliament.
Mr. Rahman appeared for the Member of Parliament in court on Monday.
The Prosecutor Assistant Superintendent of police (ASP) Sylvester Asare asked the court to issue a bench warrant saying “He (MP) has a clear intention and has demonstrated that this court cannot procure his attendance and it amounts to disrespect to this court.
“I have been ambushed by this process and this even confirm by this application that he will not appear”,
However, the lawyer of the MP Mr. Adawudu said the lawmaker didn't deliberately absent himself from the court as he has to attend to the business of the house.
While granting the prayer of the Prosecutor for the issuance of the bench Warrant, Justice Oheneba Kufuor said the system is fraught with hoax.
He has postponed the case until January 12 2022.
The MP organized and led a demonstration with his constituents over the bad state of roads and drainage in the constituency.
During the protest, the protesters allegedly blocked the Danfa Oyarifa road and vandalized some public properties.
According to the MP he escaped the police arrest twice with the first attempt being on the day of the demonstration followed by another escape at his church while he was worshipping.
The police then formally charged him after their request for his release by the speaker was turned down.
Mr Xavier Sosu was first expected to come to court on Monday 8, November but he did not.
The police prosecutor then notified the court that the Service had received a letter informing them that the MP had been sent on parliamentary duties out of the country by the Speaker.
Again the MP failed to turn up in court on November 16.
Explaining his absence in court ,his lawyer said the MP was still out of the country and would return the next week.
The Judge in his response said he he had received a letter on his file which was signed by the Deputy Clerk to the house, Eric Owusu Mensah which reads "Please refer to your letter No. KDC/202/22 and dated 9th November, 2021 which attached a Hearing Notice on the above matter for service on the Honourable Member for Madina Constituency, Hon. Francis-Xavier Sosu”.
The letter further read; “I have been directed by the Rt. Hon. Speaker to bring to the attention of the Hon Court that the Hon. Member is attending at the proceedings of the 3rd Meeting of the 1st Session of the 8th Parliament which commenced on Tuesday 26th October 2021 and is also currently representing Parliament and the Country in a conference in the United States of America”.
“Pursuant to article 117 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic, I am unable to bring the service to the attention of the Member of Parliament as requested”
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