Oliver Barker-Vormawor in trouble; Appointments Committee summons him over ‘Cash For Vetting’ allegation but, Oliver says he’s ready to face them

Expect fireworks in Parliament today when activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor appears before the Appointments Committee to substantiate bribery allegations he made against the Committee members.

Barker-Vormawor has accepted the challenge and indicated his readiness to face the Committee.

Summons
The clerk of the Appointments Committee, Gifty Jiagge-Gobah, issued formal summons to Barker-Vormawor yesterday, January 28 after the Committee had denied the cash for vetting allegations.
One allegation which the vociferous legal practitioner made on social media read: “So all the monies the ministerial appointees are being asked to pay to the Appointments Committee just to get approved, are those ones not affected by ORAL? Strange Republic”.

The activist also alleged that NDC members of the committee have been demanding money from the nominees.

Serious view
At the vetting of Defence Minister-designate Dr Edward Omane Boamah, on Tuesday, January 28, the Chairman of the Appointments Committee and 1st Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Bernard Ahiafor, took a serious view of the allegation, strongly rejecting it and caused the clerk of the Appointments Committee to write to Barker-Vormawor to appear before the Committee today to prove his allegations.

He stated that the attention of the Committee was drawn to a media statement by Oliver Baker-Vormawor, in which he alleges that the majority members of the Appointments Committee demand money before approving nominees and that the Chairman must submit himself to Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL).

Mr Ahiafor categorically denied the allegation, saying, “I’m ever ready to submit myself to ORAL. We need to stop certain attitudes. So, therefore, I, Benarad Ahiafor, and the chairman of the committee want to place it on record that myself and the committee members don’t demand money from any nominees before vetting and approval.”

“To address these serious allegations, I am directing the Clerk of the Committee to invite Mr Oliver Baker Vomawor to appear before the committee tomorrow at 10:00 AM to provide evidence to substantiate his claims. Specifically, he must present proof that I, as Chairman, or any member of the Vetting Committee has engaged in such acts.

“Should he fail to do so, the Committee will invoke its powers under Article 103 of the Constitution and Standing Order 134 of Parliament to take the necessary actions,” he stated.

Baker-Vormawor ready
Minutes after Mr Ahiafor had spoken on the matter in Parliament, Baker-Vormawor took to social media to indicate his readiness to appear before the Committee today.

He stated, “This is how a Democracy improves. I look forward to appearing before the Appointments Committee tomorrow. Thank You.”