Parliament sanctions considered

 By CHARLES MOI
THE Supreme Court believes it should consider civil and criminal sanctions on those found to be responsible for the breach of constitutional duty under Section 23 of the Constitution.
A panel consisting of Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia, Deputy Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika and Justice Colin Makail yesterday presided over a case brought by the Opposition seeking a recall of Parliament to debate on a motion of no confidence in Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.
The motion could not be tabled in the session last month because the House had to be adjourned before a parliamentary committee could clear it for debate.
The panel said acting Speaker Aide Ganasi, as acting chairman of the parliamentary private business committee, was reminiscent of the actions of past speakers who came under criticism in earlier court cases.
“Perhaps it is time now for persons charged with administering the business affairs of the Parliament to be held responsible,” they said.
“It was proposed to be adjourned for a reason other than the one the Speaker had published on the website. The motion was introduced without full reasons and allowed to be moved in a short time and passed on voices without debate.”
Opposition members present who interjected were ignored by the chair.”