Three members of the Minority on the Appointments Committee of Parliament have petitioned Speaker Mike Oquaye over the bribery scandal that has hit the committee.
After the vetting of Minister of Energy Boakye Kyeremanteng Agyarko last week, some members of the Committee – notably Bawku Central’s Mahama Ayariga – accused the Policy Advisor of New Patriotic Party’s 2016 campaign of attempting to bribe members with GH¢3,000 each.
Mr Mahama in an interview with Accra-based Radio Gold said the monies were sent through the Chairman of the Committee, Joseph Osei-Owusu, to them.
He continued that he received his through Member of Parliament (MP) for Asawase Constituency Alhaji Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, who has since denied the issue.
READ: Ayariga’s allegation against Agyarko should be discarded – Parliament
But Mr Ayariga on Sunday, January 29 joined two other MPs to write to the Speaker for an “internal audit” into the issue.
“This is a joint request by Hon. Mahama Ayariga (MP) Bawku Central Constituency, Hon Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (MP) North Tongu Constituency and Hon Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini (MP) Tamale North Constituency to you the Rt. Hon Speaker of Parliament,” the letter opened.
“We jointly request you to carry out an internal enquiry into the veracity of the claims made by us in the allegation of attempted bribery of the Minority Members of the Appointments Committee of Parliament by a ministerial nominee.
“We, the three (3) Members of Parliament, will subject ourselves fully to the processes of the enquiry,” it assured.
Meanwhile, the Majority has also served notice it will alert the Privileges Committee to look into the matter.
Both Chairman Osei-Owusu and Vice Chairman Sarah Adwoa Safo have given their word to appear on the Privileges Committee, if need be, to witness in the matter.
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