Vetting Bribery saga: I’m willing to testify – Mahama Ayariga

Bawku Central MP Mahama Ayariga has said he is willing to testify in court if any citizen of the country wishes to have the the allegation of bribery against Energy Minister-designate Boakye Agyarko probed further.

Mr Ayariga, on Friday January 27, insisted that a quantum of money was given to Joe Osei Owusu, chairman of the Appointments Committee, by Mr Agyarko to be distributed to Minority MPs on the committee with the intention of influencing them to give him the nod so he could be sworn in as Minister.

Mr Ayariga, who is a member of the Committee, told Accra-based Radio Gold in an interview on Friday that the Minority MPs outrightly rejected the GHS3000 each, which was enveloped for them when they later found out from Mr Osei Owusu that the money was coming from Mr Agyarko.

According to Mr Ayariga, the Minority MPs first accepted the money because they were under the impression that the money was their sitting allowance but got alarmed and decided to return the money after they heard rumours that the money was coming from Mr Agyarko to bribe them.

Asked by Newsfile host Samson Lardy Anyenini on Multi TV on Saturday January 28 why he was not taking the matter to court as a lawyer, well aware that bribery of a public official was an offence according to the country’s laws, or at least report to the police, Mr Ayariga said any citizen interested in the case could also take it up in court and he would willingly testify.

“The Attorney General, too, if she hears it on radio – and I believe she has heard it – she too she can take action. You too, you the one sitting on the radio station, the law also provides that if you suspect that an offence has been committed you can take action… I’m there, I said I’m willing to testify so if you go [to court] and I’m called and subpoenaed to witness, wont I come and tell what I know? So all of us as citizens have a responsibility, you can’t push the burden to me alone,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Mr Agyarko and Mr Osei Owusu and parliament have denied the allegation.

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