By Nasratu Kargbo
Following a motion moved by the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Privileges and Ethics Paramount Chief Alie Badara Sheriff III to pardon three suspended MPs, the Speaker of Parliament Chernor Abass Bundu on the 28th February 2023 ordered that the men return to their allotted seats in the House.
Before laying the report on Tuesday on the ruling by the Speaker of Parliament on the riotous conduct of the MPs, Lahai Marah, Abdul Karim Kamara and Aaron Aruna Koroma, chief Sheriff said the committee had received letters from the MPs showing remorse for their actions. He explained that the committee met and that after consultations with the Clerk of Parliament, they confirmed that the MPs have forfeited their salaries and allowances for December last year and January 2023.
He added that as a result of the remorse they’ve shown, the committee asked that the slated three months’ salary that should have been forfeited be reduced to two months.
He asserted the committee’s objective in ensuring that discipline and decorum are maintained for the dignity and image of parliament.
The Speaker of Parliament Chernor Abass Bundu had suspended three members of parliament from partaking in all proceedings until the parliamentary Committee on Privileges and Ethics submits a report with a recommendation on how to deal with their “misconduct” during a session on the 23rd November 2022.
Bundu had suspended the men on the 30th of November 2023, who had all their privileges, immunity, and remuneration was withdrawn.
The three Opposition MPs were given two weeks ultimatum to pay a sum of 380 Leones being the cost of property damage during the incident in parliament.
Scuffles broke out on the 23rd of November 2022 after two statutory instruments designed to give effect to the District Block Representative System of voting was brought to parliament by the Deputy Minister of Justice Umaru Napoleon Koroma.
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