General News of Friday, 24 May 2024

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

'Kissi Agyebeng is a wounded snake whose head needs to be decoupled from the OSP' – Martin Amidu writes

Kissi Agyebeng and Martin Amidu Kissi Agyebeng and Martin Amidu

Former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu has spoken out for the first time following his petition to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the removal of his successor, Kissi Agyebeng.

In a statement copied to GhanaWeb, Martin Amidu, who was chastising the Special Prosecutor and persons defending the Office of the Special Prosecutor's investigation of the former Minister for Sanitation, Cecilia Dapaah, whom the office has accused of money laundering, indicated that nothing would stop him in his quest to defend the Constitution of Ghana.

Amidu, who described Kissi Agyebeng as an 'inexperienced and incompetent neophyte' while citing supposed numerous violations of the constitution by the Special Prosecutor, said he cannot continue to hold his office.

"My personal right to defend the 1992 Constitution and the due process of law guaranteed under it cannot be subjected to intimidation by any media house or any group of fellow citizens.

"Kissi Agyebeng is a wounded snake whose head needs to be decoupled from the OSP before the OSP infests the body politic with the very poisonous corruption the OSP was established to prevent and investigate, thereby destroying the 1992 Constitution," part of the statement by Amidu, a former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, which is dated May 23, 2024, reads.

He added, "Those who nominated Kissi Agyebeng can continue to protect him, but I will not stop defending the basic ethics and principles of law enforcement and the 1992 Constitution, which I have done throughout my adult life as a citizen of Ghana."

Background:

President Akufo-Addo forwarded a petition for the removal of Kissi Agyebeng as Special Prosecutor to the Chief Justice.

The petition, dated April 30, 2024, was submitted to the president by former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu and was then passed on to Justice Gertrude Torkornoo on May 6, 2024.

Amidu reportedly cited procurement irregularities in the acquisition of vehicles for the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and alleged misconduct involving judges and the administration of justice.

Additional accusations included the violation of citizens' rights through arrests and detentions, breaches of the right to information, and inappropriate staff appointments to the office.

In line with Article 146 of the Constitution, Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo is currently evaluating whether there is sufficient initial evidence to form a committee for Agyebeng's potential impeachment.

She has requested the Special Prosecutor to respond to the issues raised in the petition.

Read Martin Amidu's full statement below:



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