[ 2017-02-20 ]

I never played any role in alleged bribery scandal - Muntaka
A member of Parliament's Appoitment Committee
Muntaka Mubarak who was fingered in an alleged
bribery allegation has taken his turn before a
committee set by the Speaker of Parliament to
investigate the issue.

Mr Muntaka is accompanied by private legal
practioner Samson Lardy Anyenini.

The MP for Asawase is alleged by Mahama Ayariga to
have taken money from Chairman of the
Appointment's Committee and distributed to
minority members of the Committee.

Mr Muntaka has denied these allegations and will
be interrogated by the Committee to find the
veracity of the claims he has made.

Bawku Central MP, Mahama Ayariga has already been
interrogated by the Committee. So has Chairman of
the Appointment's Committee, Joseph Osei Owusu.

Muntaka presents a witness statement to the
committee which represents his position on the
matter and he will be questioned on it.

Que: Did you take money from Boakey Agyarko to
give members of the committee?

Muntaka: No

Que: Did Osei Wusu use you as a conduit to
distribute bribe?

Muntaka: He has not given him any money to be
given to anybody.

Que: Do You know Boakye Agyaroko?

Muntaka: I have never met him anywhere, he has
never sent anyone to me, he has never called me
before.

Que: Did you discuss any financial matters
concerning members?

Muntaka: Not with me

Que: Did the members make request for payment of
allowances?

Muntaka: I remember on the Saturday, members were
asking the chairman how far he has gone with his
memo about members' allowance

Que: What was his response?

Muntaka: I remember him saying he was working on
it, that is what I can remember him saying.

Que: Did the Appointment’s Committee on the day
Boakye Agyarko appeared before you take a
decision on him?

Muntaka: We did not take a decision on both of
them, Agyarko and Osafo Maafo
Que: What did you mean?

Muntaka: The minority said they couldn’t go with
them. They were asked to provide some documents
before their approval

Que: Did the documents come?

Muntaka: Yes, they were handed over to me and I
sent it to the minority leader for us to read
through but we did not get what we wanted.

I said that one of the things I was interested in
seeing was a letter from the world bank as a
nominee mentioned in his vetting.

Que: Did you see the letter?

Muntaka: I did not.


Que: Why were you taken aback by the allegations?

Muntaka: That had never happened and I was shocked
from where he was getting that information. I had
never discussed an issue of the said money coming
from the Chairman.

I was really taken aback because I had never had
any discussions with anyone.  That is why I was
taken aback.

Que: You declined the opportunity to speak to the
media on what actually shocked you. Can you
reconcile the two positions?

Muntaka: The media called me about an alleged
comment, but I had not heard the comment myself
and I was trying to reach my colleague about it.

Until I heard the comment then I decided to grant
a comment on Joy FM.

Que: Who was doing the interview?

Muntaka: I did not listen to the show, but I heard
the voice of Samson Lardy

Que: which Samson was that?

Muntaka: Mr Chairman, My counsel (Samson Lardy
Anyenini)

Que: what did you say on Joy FM?

Muntaka: I said the information that is out there
is never true, I have never had that conversation.
I have never collected any money from Joe Osei
Wusu to be given to anyone. I denied that fact.

Que: Is this your first time on the Appointment
Committee?

Muntaka: No

Que: What is your reaction if this committee
informed you that there is evidence that you told
him that you received money from the chairman?

Muntaka: That never existed

Que: Ayariga said he received money from you and
when he found out it was bribe money he returned
it, how do you react to that?

Muntaka: It is a surprise because no such money
was given to anyone so how will he return to me
money that was not given. That was shocking. I
was shocked to hear these comments subsequently.

Que: What did you do?

Muntaka: I spoke to my leader and the majority
leader and all those concerned about it. I was
shocked.

Que: In that conclave meeting were Agyarko, Osei
Wusu present, Ayariga, Suhuyini and Ablakwa
present?

Muntaka: Yes

Que: Was the issue raised

Muntaka: That day while we were in conclave I kept
shuffling between the chamber to see what was
happening …I remember the chairman asked the
question but at that stage it was all about the
committee and my name was not mentioned
 
Que: What was Ayariga’s reaction?

Muntaka: I saw him raise his hands but I was
almost at the gate because I was rushing out of
the place, I just heard the laughter so I can’t
remember whether Ayariga said anything or any
other member said anything

Que: Did you take any money from Joe Osei Owusu?
Muntaka: No
 
Que: Were you involved in any attempt to bribe
members of the committee”?

Muntaka: No 

Mr Muntaka read out his statement again and
thanked the Committee for giving him  the
opportunity to appear before them

Chairman dismisses Mr Muntaka and urged him to
refrain from making comments in relations to the
issue in the public.

Mr Muntaka’s counsel was also cautioned to be
mindful of his comments on the issue.
 

Source - Myjoyonline.com

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