[ 2017-01-31 ]

Big day as Speaker acts on Ayariga, others' petition for probe into bribery alle
Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Ocquaye,
will Tuesday act on a petition calling for an
investigation into allegations that some MPs were
bribed to approve the nomination of a
minister-designate.

Today’s move by the Speaker will be the first
firm action since the allegations hit headlines on
Friday.

It is uncertain whether Prof Ocquaye will
constitute an internal inquiry or adhere to
suggestions for an independent probe into the
scalding allegation against the Legislature.

Pressure group OccupyGhana is among those calling
for an independent investigation.

Bawku Central Legislator, Mahama Ayariga, caused a
major stir in Parliament last week when he alleged
that he and other Minority MPs were handed some
GH¢3,000 to approve the nomination of Energy
Minister, Boakye Agyarko.

Mr Ayariga claimed that Minority Chief Whip,
Muntaka Mubarak handed him the money said to be
coming from Mr Agyarko, apparently to ease
tensions over his approval.

Mr Agyarko's has been given the nod for the Energy
Ministry portfolio, but his nomination was stalled
briefly following the Minority's claim that his
performance during the vetting was
unsatisfactory.

However, both Mr Agyarko and Mr Mubarak have
denied knowledge of the claims.

Another person named in the bribery allegation,
the Chair of the Appointment Committee, Joseph
Osei-Owusu, has also denied involvement any such
involvement.

But MPs for Tamale North, Alhassan Suhuyini and
North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, are the only
members of the Minority caucus who have
corroborated Mr Ayariga’s bribery claim.

The other Minority MPs on the Appointment
Committee that vetted Mr Agyarko have kept a tight
lip. There are ten MPs on the Committee.

Ayariga, Suhuyini, and Ablakwa have petitioned the
Speaker to constitute an internal probe into
their claim, vowing to cooperate fully with any
process aimed at uncovering the truth.

Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, has said he
supports the call for an investigation into the
matter.

The probe into this allegation has become critical
as the Legislature's credibility has been mired
many times in the past by similar corruption
allegations. 

Many consider a conscious effort to get to the
bottom of the recent allegations as a redeeming
opportunity for the House.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Human Rights and
Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has stated its
preparedness to investigate the bribery
allegation if Parliament does not accomplish same.

Source - Myjoyonline.com

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