The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Chairman of the Appointments Committee, Bernard Ahiafor, has revealed that security agencies conduct thorough investigations into ministerial nominees before they are vetted.
According to Mr. Ahiafor, nominees found culpable of crimes involving dishonesty or moral turpitude are automatically disqualified from holding office. He added that parliamentary candidates are also subjected to similar background checks.
Speaking in an interview, Mr. Ahiafor emphasised the importance of these investigations in maintaining integrity within government appointments.
“If Hon. Bernard Avle is supposed to be vetted by me, and there’s a report that you have been involved in fraud or an offense involving dishonesty and moral turpitude which disqualifies a person from becoming an MP. Then by that imperative, you are disqualified from becoming an MP and the consequential effect of it is that you’re also disqualified from becoming a minister without even going through the vetting process.
“You write to the security agencies for them to do the background check for you. They investigate before you [Minister or MP] appear. An investigation is conducted and the report is at hand.”
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