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The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has opened a preliminary investigation into an alleged GH¢70,000 payment reportedly offered to Deputy Minority Leader and Asokwa MP Patricia Appiagyei in connection with the vetting of ministerial and Supreme Court nominees.
The probe follows the circulation of a purported memorandum in the media, allegedly written by Mrs Appiagyei and addressed to the Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh.
According to the document, Mrs Appiagyei allegedly returned the GH¢70,000, which was purportedly 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 examining its authenticity, the source of the alleged funds and the purpose for which the money was reportedly provided.
The Office said the contents of the purported memorandum suggested that Mrs Appiagyei had questioned the source of the money and whether the payment could be linked to 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 had commenced preliminary investigations into the veracity of the document, the source of the alleged funds and their intended purpose.
The OSP also disclosed that it had invited Mrs Appiagyei to appear before the Office to assist with the preliminary investigation.
The Special Prosecutor further stated that the OSP was “actively investigating all extortion allegations involving Members of Parliament.”
However, the claims have been disputed by the Second Deputy Minority Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaib.
Speaking to Citi News, Mr Shaib described the document circulating in the media as fake. He said Mrs Appiagyei had personally confirmed that she did not know where the document originated from or who authored it.
The OSP’s investigation is expected to determine whether the purported memorandum is genuine and establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged GH¢70,000 payment.