Bribery scandal: I support full-scale probe – Iddrisu

Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu has said he will back investigations into the alleged bribery scandal that has plagued the Appointments Committee of parliament.

Speaking during the vetting of Monitoring and Evaluation Minister-designate Dr Anthony Akoto Osei on Monday January 30, he said: “I am aware that the media have been lounging for the Minority Leader to speak on a matter which is now of public interest and I like to break my silence on it.

“I will and we will support full-scale investigation to establish the veracity or otherwise of any matter that borders on the reputation of persons and the reputation of parliament, including a full-scale parliamentary enquiry which may be at parliament’s privileges committee.

“I expect that the Speaker of Parliament and the leadership will take up the matter and establish the truth or otherwise of what is being speculated around which is undermining the integrity and the work of this committee.”

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

Mr Ayariga had alleged that GHS3000 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.

Mr Osei-Owusu and Mr Muntaka have both denied the allegation.