Incoming Majority Leader and Builsa North MP, James Agalga, has urged all sides involved in the growing extortion controversy surrounding Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin to refrain from further public exchanges and allow state institutions to handle the matter.
Mr Agalga said the controversy had already entered the appropriate legal and investigative channels, making it necessary for the parties involved to exercise restraint while the processes unfold.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Monday, the former Deputy Attorney General said the courts, law enforcement agencies and the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) had all become involved in the matter.
He therefore called for a “ceasefire” to prevent the allegations and counter-allegations from escalating further.
“I think that the appropriate institutions of state, law enforcement, etc., have invoked their powers. So I think that we should wait and see. Let’s adopt a wait-and-see approach,” he said.
Mr Agalga, who is a lawyer, declined to comment on the merits of the allegations against Mr Afenyo-Markin, noting that the Minority Leader had indicated that he had filed lawsuits over the matter.
He said it would be inappropriate for him to assess the claims while the issue was before the courts.
The incoming Majority Leader also noted that petitions had been submitted to the OSP, which had acknowledged the commencement of preliminary investigations.
According to him, the outcome of the legal and investigative processes would determine whether any individual involved in the controversy had breached the law.
“For now, I think that we need to allow cool heads to prevail and let there be a ceasefire for now,” he said.
Agalga acknowledges seriousness of allegations
Mr Agalga acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations and their potential implications for Parliament, particularly because they involve the Minority Leader, one of the institution’s key political figures.
“Well, it’s quite disturbing, to be very frank with you. So those allegations carry a lot of weight,” he said.
He suggested that the gravity of the claims may have influenced Mr Afenyo-Markin’s decision to seek legal redress.
Mr Agalga further explained that while Mr Afenyo-Markin had resorted to the courts, other parties had turned to state investigative institutions, and those processes should now be allowed to proceed without undue political interference.
He said the investigations and court proceedings could provide clarity on the issues raised and establish whether any party should be held responsible.
Speaker could receive petition
On whether Parliament should independently investigate the allegations, Mr Agalga said the Speaker could become involved if a formal petition was submitted to him.
He said he was unsure whether Speaker Alban Bagbin had officially received any such petition but expressed confidence that Parliament would become aware if the Speaker took possession of one.
“Knowing who Mr Speaker is, I would have no doubts at all that once he gets hold of a petition of that sort, we would know about it,” he said.
Mr Agalga’s call for restraint comes as the controversy continues to attract public attention, with the matter now involving the courts, investigative agencies and potentially Parliament itself.
He urged all sides to allow the relevant institutions to work without pressure, stressing that a calm environment would enable the facts surrounding the allegations to be properly established.
