Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Aaron Ocquaye, says he is committed to bringing finality to the bribery allegation made by Bawku Central MP, Mahama Ayariga against some legislators.
He told Members of Parliament Friday ruling on the “special committee findings and matters arising will be delivered in due course.”
Ghanaians continue to debate the content of the report of the Joe Ghartey Committee set up to investigate a bribery claim leveled by Mr Ayariga.
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 on the Appointment Committee to approve the then Energy Minister nominee Boakye Agyarko.
“The Committee is at a loss…there is no evidence that money was given to the MPs,” Mr Ghartey who chaired the Committee said.
He also said there was no evidence that Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko offered any money to bribe legislators.
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“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 Agyarko.
Chairman of Parliament's bribery investigative committee, Joe Ghartey
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.
By failing to prove the allegations, 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.
Bawku Central MP, Mahama Ayariga
It recommended Parliament to “reprimand” the MP and demand an apology for the “deadly injury” he has caused the image of the House.
Minutes after the delivery of the report, Parliament was thrown into confusion with Tamale North MP Alhassan Suhuyini challenging other MPs over the Committee's report.
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 find him guilty and outline sanctions.
Although some people have registered their dissatisfaction with the Committee's work, the Speaker said he will end the matter by delivering his verdict.
Prof Ocquaye said he will do that in due course without specifying exactly which day the verdict will be given.
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