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 MP, Patricia Appiagyei, in connection with the vetting of ministerial and Supreme Court nominees.
The investigation follows the circulation of a purported memorandum allegedly authored by Mrs. Appiagyei and addressed to the Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh.
According to the document, Mrs. Appiagyei returned the GH¢70,000, which was allegedly given to her as an advance from the Majority Chief Whip through the Minority Chief Whip.
The money was reportedly linked to the vetting of two ministerial nominees and three Supreme Court nominees.
The OSP says it is investigating the authenticity of the document, the source of the alleged funds and the purpose for which the money was provided.
The Office says the contents of the document suggest that Mrs. Appiagyei had raised concerns about the source of the funds and whether they had the hallmarks of extortion of the nominees.
The OSP has subsequently invited the Asokwa MP to appear before the Office and assist with the preliminary investigation.
It says the investigation forms part of its broader efforts to probe allegations of extortion involving Members of Parliament.
However, Second Deputy Minority Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, has dismissed the claims surrounding the alleged payment.
He described the circulating memorandum as fake and said Mrs. Appiagyei herself had confirmed that she neither knew the source of the document nor 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.
