Majority Leader, James Agalga, has said Parliament does not have the competence to conduct criminal investigations in the country.
He says the Minority’s motion for a probe into recent cocaine busts is an attempt to invite the House into matters that are already pending before the courts.
His comments follow the Minority’s motion seeking to probe the 3.9 metric tonnes of cocaine seized by French Customs at Dunkirk and the 320 kilogrammes of methamphetamine intercepted in Australia.
Speaking on Ghana Tonight on TV3 on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, Agalga said the cases have already resulted in the arrest and arraignment of close to 20 people.
“What transpired in Parliament today clearly was a matter that sought to invite Parliament to commence a probe into matters that are already pending before our law courts,” he said.
“I mean the cocaine bust in France and the methamphetamine that was also intercepted in Australia are all matters that resulted in apprehension of a number of people. Close to 20 people have been arrested and arraigned,” he added.
According to him, the fact that the matter is before the courts with some suspects on remand is an indication that the matters are being attended to by the appropriate state institutions and does not require Parliament to venture into it.
“Maybe the Minority Leader has not averted his mind to the fact that we don’t have the competence to conduct criminal investigations. The most fundamental point is that Parliament cannot conduct criminal investigations. It has never happened,” he said.
Background
The Minority’s motion was filed by First Deputy Minority Whip and MP for Tolon, Habib Iddrisu, on Monday, September 28, 2026, requesting for an Ad Hoc Committee to investigate how major narcotics consignments were processed, inspected, cleared and exported from Ghana.
Among the cases cited was the 3.9 metric tonnes of cocaine intercepted at Dunkirk on September 10, valued at $261 million, and 320kg of methamphetamine seized by Australian Border Force on June 18, 2026, as well as earlier interceptions in Takoradi and Pedu in March 2025.
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin rejected the motion at an emergency sitting on Tuesday, September 29, ruling it inadmissible under Standing Orders 5, 6, 103, Rule F, Order 192 and Order 233, and said it risked prejudicing ongoing judicial proceedings.
Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin has since described the decision as a sad day for democracy, saying the Minority will not let the matter rest.
Parliament adjourned until further notice after Minority’s motion is dismissed
