News:
February 17, 2017
The Joe Ghartey-led Ad hoc Committee has granted a request by North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa to appear as a witness to testify in the committee’s probe into the bribery allegation that has hit the leadership of parliament’s Appointments Committee.
This follows a threat by Mr Okudzeto to sue, if the committee denied him the chance to appear as a witness in the committee’s sittings.
The Chairman of the committee, Joe Ghartey at sitting Friday said the committee has duly received the petition of the North Tongu MP, Okudzeto Ablakwa and is taking steps to furnish him with the transcript of proceedings of last Wednesday’s sitting which the first witness, Joe Ghartey appeared before it.
“When he receives it, I think he would be in the position to come before us. This is the decision of the committee relating to the request of Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa” Mr. Joe Ghartey said.
Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu, when he appeared before the committee Wednesday reiterated that Mr Ablakwa confessed that the Minority made the bribery allegation against Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko to equalize the bribery claims against former President John Mahama, and that they meant it as a joke, a claim which the North Tongu MP has since denied.
The Ad hoc Committee thus adjourned sitting to Monday, February 20, 2017 following the committee’s inability to hear other witnesses billed to appear before the committee Friday.
The chairman of the committee said it was making earnest efforts to supply all witnesses with the necessary information on proceedings so far so they could be well informed, hence deferring hearing to the said date.
All three witnesses in the bribery case, including, Minority Chief whip, Muntaka Mubarak, the Bawku Central MP, Mahama Ayariga, and North Tongu MP, Okudzeto Ablakwa have been asked by the committee to stand by on Monday, when proceedings resume.