The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has commenced a preliminary investigation into an alleged GH¢70,000 payment reportedly offered to Deputy Minority Leader and Asokwa Member of Parliament, Patricia Appiagyei, in connection with the vetting of ministerial and Supreme Court nominees.
The investigation follows the circulation of a purported memorandum allegedly authored by Mrs Appiagyei and addressed to the Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh.
According to the document, Mrs Appiagyei returned GH¢70,000 allegedly given to her as an advance from the Majority Chief Whip through the Minority Chief Whip in connection with the vetting of two ministerial nominees and three Supreme Court nominees.
The OSP said it had taken note of the document and was investigating its authenticity, the source of the alleged funds and the purpose for which the money was provided.
The Office said the contents of the purported memorandum suggested that Mrs Appiagyei had raised concerns about the source of the funds and whether the payment had characteristics associated with the alleged extortion of nominees.
“Given the constitutional importance of the Appointments Committee of Parliament and the need to safeguard the integrity of the vetting process,” the OSP said it had commenced preliminary investigations into “the veracity of the document, the source of the alleged funds, and the purpose of the alleged funds.”
The Special Prosecutor further disclosed that it had invited Mrs Appiagyei to assist with the investigation.
The OSP said it had “dispatched a communication inviting Hon. Patricia Appiagyei to attend the OSP and assist it with the preliminary investigation.”
It added that it was “actively investigating all extortion allegations involving Members of Parliament.”
However, the Second Deputy Minority Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, has disputed claims that Mrs Appiagyei returned GH¢70,000 allegedly given to her in connection with the vetting process.
The conflicting accounts have raised questions about the authenticity of the purported memorandum and the circumstances surrounding the alleged payment.
The OSP’s preliminary investigation is expected to establish whether the document is genuine, determine the source of the alleged GH¢70,000 and clarify the purpose of the payment, if it was indeed made.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
