Former Education Minister under Kwame Nkrumah, K.B Asante says the committee investigating the bribery scandal in parliament should be swift in coming out its report.
Although he lauded Professor Aaron Mike Ocquaye for his prompt action in being active in getting to the bottom of the issue, he is looking forward to a report “which we can all understand and avoid such acts in the future.
Speaking to KABA on Asempa FM Tuesday, Mr Asante said he would rather a police investigation is conducted on the matter in order to bring sunlight on the matter.
The Speaker of Parliament has set up a five-member committee to probe the allegations of bribery against some members of the Appointments Committee.
Professor Ocquaye explained that the committee has become necessary because of the weight of the allegation made by Bawku Central Member of Parliament (MP) Mahama Ayariga.
Upholding Standing Orders 191 which advises the formation of the special committee to investigate any matter of public importance, the Speaker announced the formation of high-powered parliamentary special committee to investigate the matter.
The committee members as suggested by the Majority Leader Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, agreed to by the Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu and approved by the Speaker are; Essikadu/Ketan MP, Joe Ghartey as Chairman; Offinso South MP Ben Abdallah Banda; Juaben MP, Ama Pomaa Boateng; Talensi MP, Benson Tongo Baba; Yilo Krobo MP, Magnus Kofi Amoatey
The terms of reference given the Special Committee are;
(a) To establish if First Deputy Speaker Joseph Osei Owusu took money from Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko and gave it to Minority Chief Whip Alhaji Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka.
(b) To do an internal inquiry to find out whether there were attempts to bribe members of Appointments Committee
(d) To look into the remit of complaints and assertions made by First Deputy Speaker about the matter.
However, Mr Asante said in a case of bribery, the public must rather be calling the police to take up the investigations.
“We should allow them [parliament] the courtesy of looking into it but they should provide us with a credible report,” he said adding that the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) should have begun investigations by now.
“But since they have not moved in and parliament has moved in, I don’t think it is wise for them to go…”
“It is our highest law making body and if they cannot look after themselves and see that the public have confidence in them, then, I am afraid we are in a very bad situation,” the former diplomat said.