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The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has invited Asokwa MP and Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei to assist with a preliminary investigation into an alleged GH¢70,000 payment reportedly linked to the vetting of ministerial and Supreme Court nominees.
The OSP said it had formally communicated with Mrs Appiagyei to appear before the Office as it investigates the authenticity and circumstances surrounding a document circulating in the media.
The purported memorandum, allegedly authored by Mrs Appiagyei and addressed to Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, claims that she returned GH¢70,000 allegedly given to her as an advance from the Majority Chief Whip through the Minority Chief Whip.
The alleged payment was reportedly connected to Parliament’s Appointments Committee’s vetting of two ministerial nominees and three Supreme Court nominees.
In a public notice issued on Friday, September 4, the OSP said it began the preliminary investigation after taking note of the document and its contents.
According to the Office, the purported memorandum suggests that Mrs Appiagyei questioned the source of the money and whether the payment had characteristics associated with the alleged extortion of nominees.
The OSP said its investigation is focused on establishing the authenticity of the document, determining the source of the alleged funds and clarifying the purpose for which the money was reportedly provided.
“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 Office added that it had invited Mrs Appiagyei to appear before the OSP and assist with the inquiry, noting that it is “actively investigating all extortion allegations involving Members of Parliament.”
However, the claims surrounding the alleged payment have been disputed by Second Deputy Minority Whip Jerry Ahmed Shaib.
Speaking to Citi News, Mr Shaib described the circulating memorandum as fake and said Mrs Appiagyei had confirmed that she did not know where the document originated or who authored it.
The OSP’s inquiry is expected to establish the authenticity of the memorandum and shed light on the circumstances surrounding the alleged GH¢70,000 payment.