The Parliament of Ghana has indicated that it is not seeking to sabotage the work of the Special Prosecutor, Mr. Martin Amidu, nor any Law Enforcement Agency, as alleged.
Parliament stated that an earlier engagement with the Special Prosecutor was a follow up to a letter dated the May 23, 2019, which he had written to the Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, whereby Mr. Amidu requested the release of Mr. Mahama Ayariga, to be arraigned before the High Court in Accra on June 4, 2019.
In a press statement signed by the Acting Director of Public Affairs, Miss Kate Addo, Parliament, on May 31, 2019, wrote to the Special Prosecutor, recognising the role of the latter in the fight against corruption.
She further explained that Parliament invited the Special Prosecutor for further discussions on the matter.
She added that at the said meeting, the Special Prosecutor’s attention was drawn to Articles 117, 118 (1) and 122 of the 1992 Constitution.
The Acting Director of Public Affairs pointed out that an official from the outfit of the Special Prosecutor engaged in an open meeting in the Speaker’s Conference Room, with the Speaker, the Majority and Minority Leaders, the Ranking Member of the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, and the Clerk to Parliament.
Miss Addo stated that for the Special Prosecutor to suggest therefore, that the Speaker had a private meeting to get him to approach the prosecution wrongfully is unfounded.
She reiterated that Parliament suggested to the Special Prosecutor that it was not in any way saying that an MP could not be prosecuted, but just as it happened in the trial of Mr. Dan Abodakpi, the MP could be tried on Mondays.
Miss Addo concluded that Parliament co-operated with the Special Prosecutor during the investigation stage of the case in question.
In an earlier interview with the Special Prosecutor, Mr. Amidu stated that Parliament is sabotaging his working in prosecuting Mr. Mahama Ayariga.
He pointed out that Parliament is relying on immunity in the 1992 Constitution and the Standing Orders of Parliament to shield the MP.
Source: Ghanajustice.com
