New Patriotic Party (NPP) Deputy General Secretary, Nana Obiri Boahen has said that private legal practitioner, John Ndebugri’s warning that Ghana’s first Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, could resign is borne out of jealousy.
Mr. John Ndebugri has warned that the Mr. Martin Amidu could resign if in the course of carrying out his duties, his mandate is limited.
He argued that, while giving the Special Prosecutor a free hand in investigations, the law establishing the position also gives the Attorney General some authority over the cases pursued by the Office.
“Now, there is a position which says the Special Prosecutor is accountable to the Board. The Special Prosecutor is simply a Managing Director and I do not think that the Managing Director can overrule the decisions of the Board. What is going to be problematic is that another sub section says that notwithstanding that accountability provision, the Special Prosecutor shall have full control over investigations so it creates a conflict situation and my position is that Martin Amidu as I know him, will insist that the law has made him independent and that he is in full control.
“The Board is likely to insist that they are the Board and they call the final shots and so if it happens like that [I know the person I am talking about, one case it happens, another case it happens, I am not sure it will even get to a third case] Martin Amidu will definitely walk out of the place like he walked out of President Mills,” said the lawyer.
Mr. Obiri Boahen in responding to Mr. Ndebugri’s comments, however believes that the President’s decision has scored him a lot of marks in fighting corruption and further underscores his determination to do so.
“President Akufo Addo knows what he is doing and that is why he has appointed Martin Amidu to take up such a sensitive position. His comment that Martin Amidu could resign is too early and needs to be condemned”, he said.
“Ghanaians are happy about the appointment and so I think Ndebugri is just jealous of Martin Amidu” he said on Accra based Okay FM.
According to him, the newly appointed Special Prosecutor will not do any political party’s bidding and therefore should be allowed to work without any interference.
Source: Adomonline.com/Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy
