OSP Investigates GH¢70,000 Allegation Linked To Parliamentary Vetting
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has opened a preliminary investigation into an alleged GH¢70,000 payment reportedly connected to the parliamentary vetting of ministerial and Supreme Court nominees.
The controversy centres on a purported memorandum attributed to Asokwa MP and Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei. The document allegedly suggested that she had returned GH¢70,000 linked to the vetting process. (Graphic Online)
However, Appiagyei has rejected the claims surrounding the alleged payment, while Second Deputy Minority Whip Jerry Ahmed Shaib has also dismissed the document as fake. These conflicting positions have now become part of the issues the OSP is seeking to clarify. (Adomonline.com)
According to the OSP, the contents of the disputed document raised questions about where the money allegedly came from, why it was provided and whether it could be connected to claims of extortion involving nominees appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee.
The anti-corruption agency has therefore invited Appiagyei to assist with its inquiries as investigators work to establish whether the memorandum is genuine and determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged payment. (The Herald ghana)
Former Auditor-General Daniel Yaw Domelevo has meanwhile backed the decision to investigate the matter, arguing that Appiagyei’s denial alone should not bring the issue to an end. He believes the allegations deserve proper examination by the appropriate authorities. (CitiNewsroom.com)
The controversy has placed renewed attention on the operations of Parliament’s Appointments Committee, particularly the procedures surrounding the vetting of presidential nominees.
For now, the GH¢70,000 allegation remains under investigation, and no conclusion has been established regarding the authenticity of the document or the purpose and source of the alleged payment.
Source: GhanaNsem
