The minister of Youth and Sports Bakary Badjie has called for investigation into his conduct over his wife’s travel allowance to Europe for the Commonwealth Games and Islamic Games in Turkey amid public backlash.

According to Me Badjie, he has “zero doubts about his innocence and I am ready and willing to face the consequences if I am found guilty of any wrongdoing.

“I have consulted widely on this issue and have come to the conclusion that the right thing to do is for my wife to refund the entire money paid to her. 

“To this end, I hereby invite the state or any competent authority to launch an independent investigation into my conduct.”

Mr Badjie said he is being wrongly judged and assured the public that he would not “ever betray your trust and confidence. I acted in good faith.”

He continued: “From the onset, neither I nor the Ministry engaged in any clandestine or fraudulent transaction. 

“This process was transparent and that is why the said letter in circulation was not treated with confidentiality. Rather, all relevant institutions have been copied and notified.  

“Secondly, the inclusion of my wife to the event was not a personal choice. I neither ask from nor did I impose it on any person or authority. 

“It was a privilege extended to me and other invited dignitaries by the Commonwealth Secretariat. This is a common practice in Commonwealth and Olympics games.

“Just like her inclusion in the trip by invitation, the payment of allowance to her was not my initiative. 

“I have made consultations with relevant and competent authorities and have been assured that paying allowance to my wife under the circumstances is justified and not at variance with law or acceptable practice.”

“This is the first time I had such a privileged invitation and I relied on authoritative and competent advice as has been my modus operandi since I assumed office,” he added.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba