The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Chairman of the Appointments Committee, Bernard Ahiafor, has shed light on the extensive security screening process that ministerial nominees undergo before their official vetting.
Speaking in an interview on Channel One TV, Hon. Ahiafor emphasized that individuals found guilty of offenses involving dishonesty or moral turpitude are automatically disqualified from holding public office. He noted that parliamentary candidates are subjected to the same stringent background checks to uphold integrity in governance.
Explaining the process, he highlighted the critical role of security agencies in verifying the backgrounds of nominees before they appear before the vetting committee.
“If Hon. Bernard Avle is set to be vetted and a report confirms his involvement in fraud or any offense related to dishonesty and moral turpitude—offenses that disqualify one from becoming an MP—then he is also ineligible to serve as a minister, without even going through the vetting process,” Ahiafor stated.
He further clarified that the security checks are conducted before nominees or MPs appear for vetting, ensuring that only individuals with clean records are considered for public service roles. “You submit a request to the security agencies, they conduct investigations, and the report is available before the nominee appears,” he added.
Hon. Ahiafor stressed that this thorough vetting process is essential for maintaining accountability and ensuring that only competent and trustworthy individuals serve in government.
SOURCE: http://dew360.net
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