[ 2017-03-31 ]

Justice Emile Francis Short, Former CHRAJ boss

Joe Ghartey report has unresolved issues – Emile Short
Former CHRAJ boss, Justice Emile Francis Short,
says the report of the Joe Ghartey Committee
instituted to investigate a bribery claim against
some MPs has not fully resolved all the issues.

He said there are some “unresolved issues”
despite a contempt finding made against Bawku
Central Member of Parliament (MP), Mahama Ayariga
who made the allegation.

The University of London-trained lawyer questioned
why the Committee delved into issues that were not
part of its terms of reference.

Related Article: Boakye Agyarko, Osei Owusu,
Muntaka cleared of bribery
“The issue of contempt was not before the
Committee… it wasn’t one of the terms of
reference,” he said on Joy FM’s Midday News
Friday.

There was chaos in Ghana’s Parliament after a
Committee empowered to investigate a bribery claim
against some MPs on the Appointments Committee
read its recommendations.

The Joe Ghartey Committee told MPs Thursday it
found no evidence to support Mr Ayariga’s claim
that GHC3,000 was handed to some minority MPs.

“The Committee is at a loss…there is no
evidence that money was given to the MPs,” Mr
Ghartey who chaired the Committee said.

Chairman of Parliament's bribery investigative
committee, Joe Ghartey
He also said there was no evidence that Energy
Minister, Boakye Agyarko offered any money to
bribe legislators.

Related Article: We will step in if Parliament
fails to investigate Ayariga bribery claim -
CHRAJ

“There is no evidence that this committee can
rely on that First Deputy Speaker Joe Osei Owusu
gave money to Minority Chief Whip, Mohammed
Muntaka,” Mr Ghartey added.

The Committee’s finding dismisses Mr Ayariga’s
repeated claim that he was offered GHC3,000 by Mr
Muntaka and he returned same after he was told the
money came from Mr Boakye.

He peddled this allegation on several media
platforms triggering public outcry over the
activities of MPs.

The Committee said after a “critical
evaluation” of Mr Ayariga’s claim, it
established he gave “credence to rumour that
circulated in the media.”
“We find it unfortunate as he failed to
ascertain the veracity of the rumour,” Mr
Ghartey said.

The Committee went ahead to find Mr Ayariga guilty
of contempt as spelt out in Article 112 of the
1992 Constitution as well as Order eight of
Parliament’s Standing Orders because of his
failure to prove the allegation.

It recommended Parliament to “reprimand” the
MP and demand an apology for the “deadly
injury” he has caused the image of the House.

The Bawku Central MP has been dissatisfied with
the work done by the Committee.

In his reaction on the floor of Parliament, he
said the Committee was mandated to establish facts
and not to outline sanctions.

Mr Ayariga’s position has been supported by Mr
Short who said the Joe Ghartey Committee acted
beyond its remit.

He said the Committee should have focused on its
terms of reference which did not include a
recommendation of sanctions.

He also said the failure of the Committee to allow
Mr Ayariga to cross-examine the witnesses blights
its work.

Source - Myjoyonline.com

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