The Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu has delcared his support for a full scale investigation into a bribery scandal that has hit the Appointments Committee.<\/p>\n
According to him, the speaker of Parliament and the leadership of the house must investigate the matter to establish its veracity.<\/p>\n
[contextly_sidebar id=”tiCQaPhAB1mn3RsMYbK4Wk0iiZIyN2cA”]He made the comments at the sitting of the committee on Monday.<\/p>\n
The Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga on Friday [January 27, 2017] accused the Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko of bribing the ten Minority members of the Appointments Committee with GHc3,000 each when he realized that the Minority had refused to pass him for the position following some comments he made about former president John Mahama during his vetting.<\/p>\n
Mr. Ayariga alleged that the money was given to the Minority Chief Whip, Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka by the Chairman of the Appointments Committee, Joseph Osei-Owusu for onward disbursement; a claim other minority members including Alhassan Suhuyini and Okudzeto Ablakwa confirmed.<\/p>\n
Although the Chief Whip and the Chairman have denied the claims, the trio have insisted they were certain about the allegation and have called on the speaker of parliament to initiate an internal investigation into their claim.<\/p>\n
Their leader, Haruna Iddrisu who had remained silent over the issue since it broke last Friday said he supported the call for the investigation to help unravel the truth and save Parliament from public ridicule.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will and we will support full scale investigations to ascertain the veracity of otherwise of any matter that bothers on the reputations of persons and parliament; including a full scale a parliamentary enquiries which may be at parliament\u2019s privileges committee,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He added that, \u201cI expect that the speaker of parliament and leadership will take up the matter and establish the truth or otherwise of what is being speculated around which is undermining the integrity and the work of this committee.\u201d<\/p>\n
Three of the Minority members of the vetting committee \u2013 Mahama Ayariga, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini; MPs for Bawku Central, North Tongu and Tamale north constituencies respectively have written to the Speaker of Parliament calling for a thorough investigation of the bribery claims against the Minister of Energy, Boakye Agyarko.<\/p>\n
The three, in a joint letter addressed to the Speaker of Parliament, want the House to initiate an internal investigation to ascertain the veracity of their claims against the minister.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\u2018Osei-Owusu threatens court action<\/strong><\/p>\n Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Appointments Committee and MP for Bekwai, Joseph Osei-Owusu has threatened he will seek redress in court to clear his name from the scandal.<\/p>\n According to him, he has no idea why Ayariga mentioned him as being at the forefront to receive the bribe money since he does not recollect ever doing so.<\/p>\n He has also given indications he may call for a review of the Committee to allow it run effectively as it ves other ministerial nominees named by President Akufo-Addo.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n –<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n