Bribery scandal: Neutral body must probe – Fuseini

The Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Inusah Fuseini has called for an independent body to investigate bribery allegations made against members of the appointments committee.

According to him, any probe that would be conducted into the claims must be done by a group of people who have the trust and confidence of Ghanaians.

Bawku Central MP Mahama Ayariga who first made the allegation claimed that then-Energy Minister-designate Boakye Agyarko had offered cash through Appointments Committee chairman Joe Osei-Owusu, to be shared among Minority MPs on the committee.

According to Mr. Ayariga, GHC3000 was paid to each of the NDC MPs by Minority Chief Whip Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, an amount they thought was sitting allowance for MPs on the committee, but returned the monies when they heard a rumour that the amount had actually come from Mr. Agyarko to influence them to endorse his nomination as minister.

The chairman of the committee, Mr Osei-Owusu and Mr Muntaka have both denied the allegation.

But speaking on Morning Starr Tuesday, the former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources told host Nii Arday Clegg that after a chat with Hon. Muntaka it was established that the Asawase MP was bent on protecting the image of Parliament.

He said the proper way to restore the image of Parliament is for an independent body to be constituted and given the mandate to probe the Law making body.

“The proper way to clean parliament and restore confidence in Ghanaians is to allow a body investigate the matter… Parliament can do this but not by its own members… an independent, impartial body should investigate the matter,” Hon. Fuseini said.