The Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has urged the Appointments Committee of Parliament to refer matters of alleged contempt of Parliament to the Privileges Committee of Parliament and concern itself with its mandate of vetting.

This follows claims by social activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor that members of the Appointments Committee demanded money from ministerial nominees in exchange for approval.

The allegation sparked a debate during the sitting on Tuesday, 29 January, with Minority Chief Whip Frank Annor Dompreh calling for the immediate suspension of the vetting process, particularly for Defence Minister nominee, Dr Omane Boamah.

Although the vetting eventually went ahead, Mr Barker-Vormawor was summoned to appear before the House on Wednesday.

Read also: Barker-Vormawor summoned to appear before Appointments Committee over ‘bribery allegations’

Speaking during the sitting on Wednesday, Dafeamekpor opined that the Committee members are acting as judges in their own court regarding the issue, urging the Committee to refer the case to the appropriate committee.

“So I believe that the possible procedure to make, upon the invitation of the possible contempt… of his lawyers and having admitted to the statement or one of the statements in question, Mr Chairman, with all due respect, we would have made a referral to the appropriate Committee of Parliament, which is the Committee on Privileges, then we can proceed to our mandate, which is to vet,” he explained.

He reiterated that the issue must be withdrawn from the Appointments Committee and forwarded to the Privileges Committee, stating that it is not the responsibility of the committee to handle the matter.

“So this matter must be disgorged and hived off to the Committee of Privileges. We are not mandated, and we cannot, the present exercise, however preliminary it is, for me, it's a journey to nowhere. We can’t make that determination. Our mandate under (217) is to vet ministerial nominees,” he said.

Read also: I apologise – Barker-Vormawor tells Appointments Committee after bribery claims