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 a purported memorandum circulating in the media, 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 relation to 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 document suggested that Mrs Appiagyei had raised concerns about the source of the funds and whether they bore the hallmarks of extortion of the nominees.
“Given the constitutional importance of the Appointments Committee of Parliament and the need to safeguard the integrity of the vetting process, and taking into consideration the content of the document to the effect that Hon. Patricia Appiagyei purportedly cast doubt on the source of the alleged funds and that it had the hallmarks of extortion of the nominees, the OSP has commenced preliminary investigation into the veracity of the document, the source of the alleged funds, and the purpose of the alleged funds,” the statement said.
The OSP added that it had “dispatched a communication inviting Hon. Patricia Appiagyei to attend the OSP and assist it with the preliminary investigation.”
The Office further stated that it “is 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.
Speaking to Citi News, Mr Shaib described the circulating letter as fake. He said Mrs Appiagyei herself had confirmed that she did not know the source of the document or who authored it.
The OSP’s investigation is expected to establish the authenticity of the document and clarify the circumstances surrounding the alleged GH¢70,000 payment.
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