[ 2017-03-31 ]

Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Mike Oquaye

I’ll deliver ruling on bribery report ‘in due course’ – Oquaye
A ruling on the report presented by the Joe
Ghartey Committee which investigated the bribery
allegation against Parliament’s Appointments
Committee, will not be immediately declared, the
Speaker of Parliament has stated.

It will however be given “in due course”, said
the speaker today [Friday].

Speaking on the floor of Parliament today [Friday]
after adjourning sitting on Thursday evening,
following a heated debate on the report, Prof.
Mike Oquaye said “matters regarding ruling on
the special committee findings and matters arising
will be delivered in due course.”

There was a heated debate on the floor of house on
Thursday [March 30, 2017], when the house convened
to consider the report by the special fact-finding
committee looking into the bribery case.

The report among other things said the Member of
Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, had
been found guilty of contempt of parliament and
must render an unqualified apology to the Chairman
of the Appointments Committee, Joe Osei-Owusu.

However, in his comments about the report’s
recommendations, Mr. Ayariga reluctantly
apologized, saying “Mr. Speaker if you say I
should apologize, I apologize.”

He further questioned why the committee would cite
him for being in contempt when the bribery
commission did not use a criminal prosecution
procedure.

This provoked contentions in the house, forcing
the Speaker of Parliament to defer the matter to
Friday, March 31, 2017.

The Speaker however on Friday expressed belief
that it was not the right time to deliver a ruling
on the matter hence has deferred it indefinitely.

Meanwhile, Parliament has extended its sitting for
this meeting by an additional week. This is
according to majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah
Bonsu.

The house was expected to rise yesterday, Thursday
[March 30, 2017].

But presenting the business statement to the
house, the Leader said due to additional
government business the house is expected to deal
with, it will rise next by Friday 7th April,
2017.

The Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu has however
proposed that the House rises by Wednesday, 4th
April, 2017.

Source - citifmonline.com

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