MP against Oti Bless’ approval for attacking CJ on Montie FM
Some members of the Minority in Parliament, are kicking against the approval of Nkwanta North MP, John Bless Oti’s nomination as Deputy Minister for Local Government.
According to the Minority Spokesperson on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Joe Osei-Owusu, the nominee allegedly formed part of the panel that made the contemptuous statements against justices of the Supreme Court on Accra-based Montie FM.
According to them, the nominee specifically attacked the integrity of Chief Justice on the said programme.
During that particular radio discussion, two panelists, Alister Nelson and Godwin Ako Gunn, together with the host of the ‘Pampaso’ political show, Maase Salifu, a.k.a Mugabe, threatened to eliminate justices of the Supreme Court over their handling of the lawsuit on the credibility of the country’s voters’ register.
The three have since been jailed for four months , and paid a fine of Ghc10,000 each, after the court found them guilty of contempt charges brought against them.
According to Mr. Osei-Wusu, the MP’s alleged participation in that programme and the comments he made against the Chief Justice, is improper for a public official.
“He seriously castigated the Chief Justice . I would have wished that he would learn from what had happened to people who had made serious castigation against this House. How this House has dealt with them and would have been very circumspect,” Osei Wusu argued while addressing the House on Friday.
Speaker overrules observation
The Speaker however overruled the observation from the Minority, saying, the matter being introduced was not known to the House.
“Hon Members, this is a very difficult one especially when the Member raising the issue is a member of the committee and had the opportunity of confronting him with what he said somewhere so that that can be verified and form part of the record before us. He did not take advantage. Nowhere has that matter been raised in the committee's report. I don't have the transcript of what he said, I don't have the voice recording before me here and therefore based on the rule of relevance, Honorable member I think you are out of order.”
Approval Deferred
Meanwhile the Speaker of Parliament, Edward Doe Adjaho has deferred the approval of Oti Bless Monday, August 1.
According to Citi News’ Duke Opoku Mensah, the Speaker has deferred the approval because of the “issues raised and the lack of the required number of nominations.”
Stakeholders fight Oti Bless' nomination
Aside this issue being raised by Mr. Osei Wusu, some stakeholders have called on President Mahama to withdraw Oti Bless' nomination , considering that he could not even verify his own name when he was vetted.
President of think tank, IMANI Ghana, Franklin Cudjoe, on Citi FM's news analysis programme, The Big Isssue last week said Bless' posture before Parliament's Appointments Committee last Friday proved he is not fit for the position, and thus questioned the motive behind the nomination.
In a vetting that was aired live on state broadcaster, GTV, the young unmarried MP, who has fathered two children, fumbled in answering many pertinent questions thrown at him by committee members.
Even the least of questions seeking clarity on his own CV presented to the Committee, could not be answered satisfactorily.
The MP, made several omissions on the CV, and failed to add other vital information where necessary.
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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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