The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has opened a preliminary investigation into allegations surrounding a purported GH¢70,000 payment allegedly linked to the parliamentary vetting of ministerial and Supreme Court nominees.
As part of the inquiry, the OSP has invited Deputy Minority Leader and Asokwa MP, Patricia Appiagyei, to appear before the Office and assist with investigations into the matter.
The investigation follows the circulation of a purported memorandum allegedly authored by Appiagyei and addressed to Minority Chief Whip and Nsawam/Adoagyiri MP, Frank Annoh-Dompreh.
According to the document, the GH¢70,000 was allegedly given to Appiagyei as an advance from the Majority Chief Whip in connection with Parliament’s vetting of two ministerial nominees and three Supreme Court nominees.
The OSP said it has taken note of the document and is seeking to establish whether it is authentic, as well as determine the source of the alleged funds and the purpose for which they were reportedly provided.
The Office said the inquiry was necessary because of the constitutional importance of Parliament’s Appointments Committee and the need to protect the integrity and credibility of the parliamentary vetting process.
It further noted that the contents of the purported memorandum raise questions about the source of the money and could potentially point to conduct bearing the hallmarks of extortion of nominees.
The invitation to Appiagyei forms part of the OSP’s preliminary efforts to establish the facts surrounding the document and the alleged payment.
The Special Prosecutor also stressed that the Office is actively investigating all allegations of extortion involving Members of Parliament.
The probe comes amid controversy over the recent vetting of three Supreme Court nominees, which saw the Minority Caucus boycott the exercise over concerns about the timetable and procedures adopted by Parliament’s Appointments Committee.
The OSP’s investigation is expected to establish the authenticity of the disputed document and clarify the circumstances surrounding the alleged GH¢70,000 payment.
