General News of Monday, 14 January 2019

Source: 3news.com

I work on the quiet – Martin Amidu replies critics

Special Prosecutor,  Martin Amidu Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu

Special Prosecutor Martin Alamisi Amidu has assured Ghanaians that despite the challenges his office faces, there will be some prosecutions this year.

He said some of the cases are near-completion and they involve members of both political divides.

“We have done serious investigations.”

He observed that some of the cases are “very sensitive”.

Mr Amidu was speaking on Monday, January 14 on Accra-based Citi FM.

He claims he works on the quiet and his experience of serving several years as a minister of state in numerous portfolios justifies his current posture.

But he explained that his previous roles are quite different from his current one.

“I know that if I have to combine a prosecutorial function and an investigative function I have to do it on the quiet.”

He disclosed that with some of the investigations, he recorded his subjects “beautifully”.

The Special Prosecutor seems to have been goaded into speaking on his mandate after critics said nothing has been seen of him since being named to occupy the position roughly a year ago.

Former President Jerry John Rawlings, for instance, asked some members of the clergy to find out from Mr Amidu what may be holding him in executing his mandate.

What’s holding up Amidu from prosecuting corrupt officials? – Rawlings asks

But Mr Amidu stated: “I work on the quiet”.

He further stressed: “I can assure you that I have the mandate to fulfill”.

The former Interior Minister and Minister of Justice said announcing the arrest of any person when full investigations have not been done is not proper.

But he claims letters have been written to some top state organisations, requesting information on some high-ranking officials, some of whom “are going around spreading false rumours”.