M & J bribery scandal: Mills hauls accused to The Castle

President J.E.A. Mills seeks explanation from accused in bribery scandal President Mills will be meeting with persons named as having taken bribes in a bribery scandal involving a British construction firm. The meeting, according to Deputy Information Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, is to appraise the president of the extent of involvement of the persons, some of who are currently serving in his government. A UK firm, Mabey & Johnson, at a trial concluded recently confessed to giving various sums of money to some public officials in some African countries including Ghana, to influence the award of contracts for its benefit. The bridge builders said in the 1990s when it operated in Ghana, money was dolled out to persons who either were in government, or had the connections to influence decision makers. That was to help the company win contracts in the country. Apart from former Works and Housing Minister, Alhaji Boniface Abubakar Saddique, who admitted to taking some money with the explanation it was to assist his education but not bribe, others such as Health Minister, Dr George Sipa-Yankey have remained silent on the matter – at least for now. A section of the public want those in government resign, but Mr Ablakwa told Joy FM’s Super Morning Show host, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah that those making the calls should hold their fire and trust in the president’s judgement. President Mills has also dispatched the Attorney General and Minister of Justice to follow up the case in the UK to access first hand information on the development to help the government deal with the issue appropriately. Story by Malik Abass Daabu/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana