The constitution has given us that power – NPP’s Habib Iddrisu on Parliament’s Narcotics Probe
First Deputy Minority Whip and Tolon MP Habib Iddrisu has explained the constitutional powers granted to parliamentary committees to investigate matters of national interest, including issues relating to narcotics control.
Speaking on Joy News in a discussion monitored by MyRoyalFM.com, Mr Iddrisu referred to Article 103 of the 1992 Constitution and the powers given to parliamentary committees.
Article 103(3) allows parliamentary committees to investigate and inquire into the activities and administration of ministries and departments as Parliament may determine. Article 103(6) also gives a committee appointed under the article the powers, rights and privileges of the High Court or a Justice of the High Court for specific purposes, including enforcing the attendance of witnesses, examining them under oath, compelling the production of documents and requesting the examination of witnesses abroad.
Mr Iddrisu said these constitutional powers would allow Parliament to pursue witnesses and obtain information as part of its work.
“They will respond to us in Parliament because, you see, the Constitution has also given us the powers. Because, you see, the Constitution has given us, even in 103(6), it says that a committee appointed under this article shall have the powers, rights and privileges of High Court or a Justice of a High Court at a trial for enforcing the attendance of witness, cross-examine them on oath, affirmation or otherwise, compelling the production of document and commission or request to examine witnesses abroad,” he said.
He added:
“So we will have that power because the Constitution has given us that power. Even if witnesses are abroad, we should be able to, you see, this arrest, arrest, arrest, even follow it and see where it will go,” he added.
His comments came amid a dispute over the scope of Parliament’s proposed inquiry into recent narcotics seizures linked to Ghana.
A private members’ motion filed by Mr Iddrisu sought the establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee to investigate major narcotics seizures and examine how the consignments were processed, inspected, cleared and exported from Ghana.
However, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin ruled the motion inadmissible during Parliament’s emergency sitting on September 29, 2026.
The Speaker said there was substantial factual overlap between the proposed parliamentary inquiry and matters before the courts, raising concerns that the inquiry could involve issues that fall within the jurisdiction of the courts.
Responding to the argument about an existing court of competent jurisdiction, Mr Iddrisu said the proposed parliamentary inquiry would not interfere with the work of the courts because its terms of reference would determine what Parliament would investigate.
“But there is indeed and in fact an actual High Court which really goes to the heart of the Speaker’s ruling. He says that there is a court of competent jurisdiction. I’m paraphrasing here.”
He continued:
“No, but the point is that what they are saying and the terms of references for our motion will not and will not in any way interfere in that because, you see, when Parliament sets up a committee to do its work.”
Mr Iddrisu said the terms of reference of a parliamentary committee are important because they determine what the committee is expected to examine.
“There are terms of reference. When you file a motion, what does your motion seek to do? At the end of the day, I mean, we might come out to say that, okay, maybe Narcotics Control Commission is under-resourced. Let’s change their legislation. Let’s empower them. Maybe they don’t have enough sniffer dogs. So maybe we should be able to give them money to get them more dogs. Maybe they don’t have this logistics.”
The debate follows a series of major narcotics seizures linked to Ghana, including the reported seizure of nearly 3.9 metric tonnes of cocaine by French Customs at Dunkirk in September 2026.
