Gabby Octhere-Darko, the lawyer, representing Ken Ofori-Atta in the censure motion filed against him [Ofori-Atta], has challenged the constitutional authority of the ad-hoc committee to probe the allegation of conflict of interest.
He argued before the committee on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, that the committee lacked the authority to investigate such an allegation.
“Our issue is that, if you go to Article 284 of the Constitution, it says that, a public officer shall not put himself in a position where his personal interest conflicts or is likely to conflict with the function of his office.”
“If you combine that with Article 287 which says an allegation which contravenes or not complied with this chapter shall be made to CHRAJ. The relevant part is that, when a public officer is to face a charge or allegation or any ground of conflict of interest, it is CHRAJ that the constitution says must deal with it”, Gabby added.
Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu defended the ad hoc committee’s jurisdictional powers and mandate, claiming that counsel for the Minister was in conflict with the hearing and enquiring mandate of such ad hoc committees because his understanding of Article 287 differed from what the counsel inferred.
“This Committee is not only to hear [the allegations], it also has the power to do a further inquiry into all Government borrowing; who got what, when, and how? All the domestic bonds we have done, for instance, the Euro Bond, who got what? We must be interested in whether our inquiry, engendered a conflict of interest or not.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
