Deputy Minority Leader and Asokwa MP, Patricia Appiagyei, has returned GH¢70,000 allegedly allocated to her in connection with the work of Parliament’s Appointments Committee.
In a memorandum dated September 2 and addressed to Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, Mrs. Appiagyei said the money was presented to her as an advance from the Majority Chief Whip.
She said she decided to return the money because she was unaware of its original source and did not want to receive any financial benefit connected to the vetting of her colleagues.
Mrs. Appiagyei specifically cited the vetting of Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga and Environment Minister Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings.
She also referred to the Minority Caucus’ decision not to participate in the vetting of three Supreme Court nominees following disagreements over the procedure adopted by the Appointments Committee.
The three nominees are Justice Sophia Rosetta Oduokuwa Bernasko Essah, Justice Edward Amoako Asante and Justice Anthony Forson Jnr.
Mrs. Appiagyei said accepting the money would be inconsistent with the principled position taken by the Minority Caucus.
She further rejected any suggestion that she intended to benefit financially from, or extort money from, the nominees.
Her decision, she said, was also in support of Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who had similarly decided to return his share of the money.
The development has triggered questions about the source and purpose of the GH¢70,000.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor has subsequently commenced a preliminary investigation into the matter, including the authenticity of the memorandum, the source of the funds and the circumstances surrounding the payment.
However, the Second Deputy Minority Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, has described the circulating memorandum as fake and disputed claims that Mrs. Appiagyei returned GH¢70,000.
The OSP has invited Mrs. Appiagyei to assist with its preliminary investigation.
