Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, on Tuesday said he would only resign if it was proven that he had committed any act of criminality and or corruption.
He made the statement at a press conference to set the records straight on a court judgement against him in a case he filed in the courts seeking damages for defamation against the publishers, editor and a reporter of Daily Guide Newspaper and the auditors who compiled a forensic audit report that sought to incriminate him.
“…Should it be shown or proven that I have stolen a single pesewa of taxpayer’s money or taken a personal benefit whether directly or indirectly or been corrupt or abused my office or been guilty of wrongdoing, I am prepared not only to resign…but also offer myself for prosecution and any penalties prescribed by law,” he said.
A pressure group, Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG), presented a petition to the Appointments Committee of Parliament seeking to stall the appointment of Alhaji Mumuni as Minister.
During his vetting the Minority in Parliament walked out when their effort to seek a suspension of the vetting to await the determination of the court case.
A couple of days ago, the Accra Fast Track High Court dismissed the claims of Alhaji Mumuni and ruled in favour of the defendants and awarded cost against the plaintiff.
Alhaji Mumuni noted that the dismissal of his claim for damages against the defendant did not mean that he had been found guilty of criminal charges, saying that he took the matter to court and not the other way round.
“I have never been charged with any criminal conduct before a court of law nor has any charge been brought against me before the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), so I am a free man,” he said.
Touching on the court judgement itself, he said he had pointed out to the court that, there were important omissions from the record or proceedings based on which the judgement was given, but the court ignored his call for corrections to be made.
He said he had subsequently instructed his lawyers to challenge the court ruling through the legal process.
Alhaji Mumuni said he was not surprised that his political opponents would seek to drag his name in the mud based on a report by Baffuor-Awuah and Associates given that it was the same organizations which conducted forensic audits involving NDC officials like Mr. Dan Abodakpi, Kwame Peprah, Dr. Ato Quarshie and Ibrahim Adam, some of whom ended up in jail.
“I feel like am in a slave ship of the NPP and I am surprised that the NPP will use the audit outfit against their political opponents in such a disgraceful manner,” he said.
He said beside the fact that the said forensic audit was not properly authorized as per the 1992 Constitution, it was also not properly laid before Parliament for eight years.
“If the NPP claims that I have squandered 19 million Ghana cedis, then why have they waited for eight years before they are bringing the matter up,” he said.
Alhaji Mumuni said he was also surprised that the spokesperson for AFAG, who also doubled as counsel for Daily Guide Newspaper in the defamation case, could go to every extent to snub the ethics of his profession and the duty to uphold the integrity of the court and commit such contempt of court by discussing a court case at a press conference.
He assured the public that he was innocent and would go to every extent to prove that.
Listen to excerpts of the press conference addressed by Alhaji Mumuni in the attached audio.
Source: GNA
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
GRA shines at 45th Commonwealth Tax Administrators Conference in Papua New Guinea
16 minutes -
NPP race: David Asante declares support for Bryan Acheampong
23 minutes -
The Luckiest *712# to participate in JoySports Invitational Tournament 2025
1 hour -
National Boardroom Summit launched to strengthen governance and drive institutional growth
1 hour -
CBG nurturing future leaders with a flagship literacy initiative
2 hours -
Global Media Alliance, Japan Motors mark 15 years of Corporate Run & Walk
2 hours -
Lawyer petitions Mahama for Commission of Enquiry into Ablekuma North rerun violence
2 hours -
Cowbell Coffee launches national promo to reward loyal customers
2 hours -
OSP charges ex-NPA boss and others in GH¢280m extortion and money laundering scandal
2 hours -
Government will restore Bawku Naba Statue – Defence Minister Omane Boamah
3 hours -
Competition Law as a catalyst for Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy and export ambitions
3 hours -
Why brands must build a consistent PR voice long before crisis hits
3 hours -
Fidelity Bank, MobileMoney Ltd and JUMO align to boost financial inclusion with launch of BoseaLoan
3 hours -
We performed, but they didn’t vote – Freddie Blay blames NPP grassroots for 2024 setback
3 hours -
A modernised, expanded, responsive and happier Military is my goal – Defence Minister
4 hours