The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, is to face Parliament’s Committee on Privileges and Immunities after the Interior Minister formally challenged him to substantiate allegations that the ongoing recruitment into the security services is unlawful and exploitative.

The development followed an application by the Minister for the Interior, Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, under Standing Order 67 (1u) and Standing Order 31 at the start of Tuesday’s sitting.

He asked the House to compel the Minority Leader to prove claims that the recruitment exercise was illegal and that the introduction of an online application system through a third-party IT firm was placing an undue financial burden on applicants.

Mr Afenyo-Markin had publicly described the recruitment as a scam, raising concerns about transparency and cost implications for prospective applicants.

Presiding over proceedings, the First Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, ruled that the matter be referred to the Privileges Committee for investigation and report. He cautioned Members against interpreting the referral as a verdict.

“The fact that this matter has been referred to privileges does not mean that the person is guilty. That is why I said all suspects are supposed to be deemed innocent.

“I am not pronouncing on the guilt of the Minority Leader or otherwise. I am not. And it is not the responsibility at this stage to do so. It is the responsibility of the committee to make that recommendation to the House.”

Rather than retreat, the Minority Leader signalled readiness to defend his claims in the open and pressed for a public hearing.

“Honourable Minister of Interior, I am not too sure you want us to pursue this matter. I repeat, because you and I know what we know. Let the referral be made, let there be a public hearing. Let Afenyo-Markin, who these days is seen as perhaps, according to the allegation, saying something untruthful, and because of that, it is a breach of parliamentary privilege. Mr Speaker, you have the wisdom to exercise discretion.

“I will avail myself, should you exercise that discretion, to a public hearing, and then the matter can be brought to a peaceful rest.”

The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, dismissed the allegations as an attempt to manufacture controversy and damage the government’s image. He warned that should the Minority Leader fail to substantiate his claims, the Majority would press for severe sanctions.