Muntaka dragged to CHRAJ

The dust as it appears, seems far from settling on the 'Muntaka Gate' as a politica1 pressure group, Progressive Nationalist Forum (PNF) has waded into the lingering controversy; dragging the former Minister of Youth and Sports to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).

The group, in a petition dated 11 January, 2010, and signed by the spokesperson, Richard Kwesi Nyamah, is praying CHRAJ to probe Alhaji Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak - who is also the Member of Parliament for Asawase constituency in the Ashanti Region - for abuse of office and conflict of interest as well as fraud in the administration of the Youth and Sports Ministry. PNF is also enjoining CHRAJ to look into alleged travel by the former Minister with his girl friend to Germany.

PNF's petition comes on the heels of Adim Odoom, the embattled principal accountant of the Ministry of Sport's allegations against the former Minister in June 2009.

The petitioners under the ‘particulars of abuse of office and conflict of interest’ in the petition stated in part that, "the respondent personally arranged for the accommodation of the Black Stars and officials in Navaisha, Kenya, in a pre-match camping against Sudan, without the involvement of any other official of the Ministry."

"The respondent requested for the refund of GH¢664.02 in respect of baby oil, baby food, mouth wash and other household items from the imprest cashier of the ministry", the group alleged in the petition.

PNF further alleged that the former Sports Minister requested GH¢1000 per match for the services of a mallam and demanded cash immediately for the purpose, adding that" ... a director, Alhaji Abdullai Yakubu, was asked by Respondent to authorize payment without passing through the director, who is the spending officer".

Making their case on fraud, the pressure group alleged that the former minister " ... fraudulently acquired a German Visa for his girlfriend, Edith Zinayela, under the pretext she was an employee of the Ministry of Youth and Sports when Ms. Edith is an employee of the Parliament of the Republic of Ghana."

The group therefore, wants criminal charges to be preferred against the former minister where he was found to have engaged in any fraudulent act and a declaration amongst others, that he abused the trust people of the Republic of Ghana reposed in him and his oath of office.

The pressure group is also praying CHRAJ to declare that the former minister was fraudulent in obtaining a German Visa for his girlfriend.