By Nasratu Kargbo
Following a video published on Justice TV Online accusing the Speaker of Parliament Dr. Chernor Abass Bundu of sexual exploitation and abuse of female Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff, the Speaker has made a formal complaint to the Head of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to examine the allegations levied against him.
Bundu in his message to the head of CID said “I hereby challenge all the allegations as wholly and totally false, baseless and unfounded and that they were made deliberately, maliciously and with intent to defame and destroy my good name and character. I am therefore writing to make a formal complaint that the Police take all necessary action to ensure that every allegation is proven by him (the Justice TV Cast) or else be prosecuted to face the full penalty of the law”.
He said the video has been published on different social media platforms.
In another write-up published by the Speaker, he insisted that the online TV should name the alleged female complainants that accused him of sexually harassing them, noting that if they do not do so; they will face the full penalty of the law for defaming him.
“Do you expect a female MP to keep quiet if harassed, or an opposition MP's wife to be silenced in a case of sexual abuse in a period of political toxicity? Can a lawmaker lose her job in this case if the so-called allegation is true? The answer is no”, Dr. Bundu wrote.
He refuted allegations of him traveling with female staff he was having an affair with and that he withdrew money from the Parliamentary coffers to travel with a lady. “In common law, it is a principle that he who asserts must prove it. Justice TV Online, prove your case if you know it is not a paid-up makeup to demean and tilt attention towards the Speaker fraudulently”, he stated.
The Speaker rhetorically stated that with the rights given to women, which female MP will allow to be harassed, and that the allegation not only tarnishes his character but also the women who were mentioned.
He described the Online TV commentary as revenge for exposing gross administrative malfeasance in the House of Laws, explaining that the purpose of the post was to divert public attention from allegations of corruption against the Clerk and his wife, which he said is being perceived that he had helped Anti-Corruption Commission unearth the financial scandals in Parliament.
“At the heart of these claims is an administrative and internal political witch hunt against the Speaker who has been seen to be defiant in the face of serious abuse of power, rule of law and conflict of interest from within the Parliamentary Service and even beyond” it reads.
Audio making rounds on different social media platforms accused the Speaker of sexual exploitation and harassment, highlighting and explaining different scenarios of how the Speaker has been exploiting female staff.
In his audio, he said he has evidence to prove his allegations and that the individuals who made complaints are willing to speak.
Copyright © 2024 Politico (18/01/24)
