A defiant Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdul Razaq Wahidi on Tuesday rejected corruption allegations against him, saying he has nothing to hide and will prove his innocence.

This comes a day after he was suspended for alleged interference in a corruption probe. He was suspending for the duration of the probe.

Wahidi said he was prepared to respond to the allegations, but stressed he has worked transparently.

A source close to the presidential palace on Monday said President Ashraf Ghani recently appointed a panel to assess the collection process of the 10 percent revenue tax from mobile phone users.

However, Wahidi allegedly interfered in the audit, resulting in his suspension, said the source.

“The ministry of communications and information technology has completed its job transparently and evidence is there to prove it,” said the suspended minister.

“There has not been any kind negligence in the job or negligence in terms of corruption,” said Wahidi.

Ghani’s spokesman Haroon Chakhansori said the decision was taken in order to ensure an atmosphere of transparency and impartiality for the audit team.

Meanwhile, Integrity Watch Afghanistan (IWA) has said that allegations against the suspended minister had been lodged a while ago and criticized government for not taking action sooner.  

“The case of the ministry of communication and information technology was sent to legal and judicial institutions several months ago; the job of leadership of the ministry of communications and information technology should have been terminated at that time, he should have been banned from travelling,” said IWA member Mohammad Nasir Taimori.

The Afghan Attorney General’s Office (AGO) and the presidential palace have so far not issued an official statement on the issue.

Wahidi is the first cabinet minister to have been suspended in such an instance.