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{
    "id": 732345,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/732345/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 119,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Speaker",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Having said that, it is thus apparent that the courts have no mandate and it is indeed unconstitutional for the High Court to disregard the express provisions of Articles 107 and 124 of the Constitution and substitute themselves for the Speaker of the House and the Standing Orders to discharge the functions of ―presiding officers of Parliament‖, or act as ―regulators of the orderly conduct of parliamentary proceedings.‖ Hon. Members, allow me to reiterate that the right of the Legislature to determine its own rules of procedure also exists in the Judiciary. Indeed, the Judiciary, through the Chief Justice, makes several rules that guide certain proceedings in court. In this regard, the Legislature may not purport to question the manner in which the courts perform certain functions relating to matters filed before them under those rules. It is this fundamental concept that should also guide the Judiciary to refrain from interfering with internal procedures of the National Assembly – procedures which have their basis in clear provisions of the Constitution. It is, indeed, my view that, for the principle of separation of powers to flourish and stem possible abuse of authority, the three arms of the Government should discharge their respective mandates based on comity and reciprocity as a virtue itself, and self-restraint. On whether or not the High Court has powers to stop Parliament from exercising freedom of speech and debate in Parliament as provided for in Article 117 of the Constitution, in my attempt to address this question, I will begin by setting out the provisions of Article 117 of the Constitution on powers, privileges and immunities, which reads as follows:"
}