The Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency in the Volta Region, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has expressed surprise over the Minority Chief Whip’s denial of a bribery allegation against the Minister of Energy, Boakye Agyarko.
“We are not saying he is part of the conspiracy to lie so it is up to him to conspire with them and lie to the nation”, Okudzeto Ablakwa who is also a Member of the Appointments Committee of Parliament told Onua FM’s Yen Sempa on Monday.
The former Deputy Information Minister said “it is up to him [Mohammed Muntaka who is also the MP for Asawase] and his conscience if he says it is not true and I don’t know why he has to deny”.
A member of the Minority in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, accused the then nominee for Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko of attempting to bribe them to have his nomination approved.
The allegation comes hours after the Minority had refused to support the approval of Boakye Agyarko and Osafo Maafo as Senior Minister-designate, after raising concerns over some statements the two made before the committee.
A member of the Appointment’s Committee, Mahama Ayariga, who made the allegation, said Mr. Agyarko attempted bribing them with 3,000 cedis.
Speaking on the issue, Mr. Ablakwa said “we are not saying he [Muntaka] knows it was a bribe because he told us the allowances has come and so we went for it. But later on that we heard rumours that the money came from the nominee. We then met and we agreed not to take the money. We told him [Muntaka] the money was from the nominee and he said he had done his investigations and he can also confirm so I am shocked and surprised he is now denying it”.
The MP said “this is not the first time we are receiving such allowances through our leaders so when this came, three of our members; MP for Bodi, Sampson Ahi, MP for Asunafo South, Eric Opoku and MP for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga confronted Hon Muntaka and he admitted receiving the money from the nominee”.
Asked whether it has been a practice for the Appointment Committee to be receiving or demanding monies from the appointees for the four years that he has been on the Committee, Mr. Okudzeto Ablakwa said, “so far, as I am concerned, this is the first time a nominee is bringing money. These are the facts we have and I am ready to stand by it at any committee of enquiry or any court”.
Meanwhile, three National Democratic Congress (NDC) Members of Parliament led by Mahama Ayariga have petitioned the Speaker of Parliament Mike Oquaye over the allegation.
The other two are Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Alhassan Suhuyini, MP for Tamale North.
The Leadership of Parliament will on Tuesday meet Mahama Ayariga, Majority Leader in Parliament and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu told Onua FM’s Yen Sempa.
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