News
OSP probes alleged GH¢70,000 vetting cash linked to Patricia Appiagyei; Minority says memo is fake
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has commenced preliminary investigations into allegations surrounding GH¢70,000 reportedly allocated in connection with the vetting of ministerial and Supreme Court nominees by Parliament’s Appointments Committee.
The probe follows a memorandum circulating on social media, purportedly authored by the Deputy Minority Leader and MP for Asokwa, Patricia Appiagyei.
The document, allegedly addressed to the Minority Chief Whip and MP for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, claimed that Mrs. Appiagyei returned GH¢70,000 given to her as an advance from the Majority Chief Whip.
According to the memo, the money was linked to the vetting of two ministerial nominees and three Supreme Court nominees.
In a public notice issued on September 4, the OSP said it has begun investigating the authenticity of the document, the source of the alleged funds and the purpose for which the money was allegedly provided.
The Office noted that the content of the purported memorandum raises concerns about the source of the money and possible 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,” the OSP said it considered it necessary to investigate the matter.
The OSP disclosed that it has invited Mrs. Appiagyei to assist with the preliminary investigation, adding that it is probing all allegations of extortion involving Members of Parliament.
Meanwhile, Second Deputy Minority Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, has dismissed claims that the Asokwa MP returned the alleged GH¢70,000.
Speaking to Citi News, Mr. Ahmed described the letter circulating online as fake, stating that Mrs. Appiagyei herself confirmed she had no knowledge of its origin.
“She has confirmed that she has no idea where the letter emanated from or who authored it,” he said.
The purported letter had claimed that Mrs. Appiagyei returned the money because she did not know its source and did not want to personally benefit from the vetting of government officials and Supreme Court nominees. It also referenced the Minority’s decision not to participate in the vetting of three Supreme Court nominees.
Mr. Ahmed said checks conducted on the Majority side also indicated that no such letter or payment originated from them.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme and Jacob Aggrey
Management and staff of Owass FM have announced the passing of media personality, comedian and politician Seth Kwame Dzokoto following a medical emergency during a live morning show discussion at the station earlier today.
According to the station, Dzokoto was participating in a panel discussion on its morning show “Oman Nkoso” when he suddenly took ill and collapsed.
A statement from the station said its team immediately rushed him to the hospital for medical attention, but he was pronounced dead by the attending medical doctor upon arrival.
“We are deeply saddened by this unfortunate incident, which occurred in the course of our regular programming. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, loved ones, colleagues, and all those who have been affected by his passing,” the statement said.
Management acknowledged that information about the incident is already circulating in the public domain, but appealed to the public and colleague media houses to respect the privacy of the bereaved family and refrain from circulating unverified information or speculation regarding the circumstances of his death.
Owass FM extended its heartfelt condolences to the family of Seth Kwame Dzokoto.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The State through the Attorney General (AG) has filed an appeal at the Supreme Court challenging the suspension of the trial in the case of The Republic v Hanan Aludiba and Faiza Seidu.
On Monday, the Court of Appeal suspended the trial in the case. But the prosecution says it has filed an appeal against the suspension order.
According to the update, the law does not allow a criminal trial to be suspended simply because an accused person has complained about some of the charges on the charge sheet, particularly when those complaints were dismissed as meritless.
It argues that if the Court of Appeal’s decision is allowed to stand, no prosecution will ever be possible, since all it would take for a trial to be suspended is an accused person complaining about anything on the charge sheet.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
