The Special Prosecutor, Martin Alamisi Amidu, has within hours replied the Executive Director of STRANEK-Africa over a petition the latter submitted to have the controversial Agyapa Royalties deal investigated.
Nii Tettey Tetteh had petitioned the Office of the Special Prosecutor in a letter dated Tuesday, September 22, 2020 and jointly signed by Emmanuel Osei, the Director of Policy and Political Affairs, to have the deal approved by Parliament on Friday, August 14 investigated.
“Indeed, it is a deal that has shaken the foundations of our moral and ethical society and left all reasonable-minded Ghanaians perplexed,” the petition noted.
“Your outfit is clothed with powers to unravel the mystery and secrecy surrounding the deal being an office which serves as a specialized independent, preventive, investigatory and prosecutorial anti-corruption agency.
“We trust you will commence investigations immediately and bring your findings to the attention of all Ghanaians,” the letter demanded.
But in a swift response, Mr Amidu said the letter appears to be “opportunistic” and “populist”.
He said the Office has already begun processes to look into the deal.
“The Agyapa Royalties Agreements and related issues have been matters of national interest since they were approved by Parliament on 14th August, 2020.
“It is also a notorious matter of public knowledge and notice that this office on 10th September 2020 invoked its mandate pursuant to Sections 2(1), 29, and 73 of Act 959 and Regulation 31(1) and (2) of LI 2374 to examine any issues arising therefrom.”
He added that Parliament and other public institutions have even responded to his requests for information and documents.
He concluded: “In any case, your letter containing mere speculations without more, does not present any reasonable basis for this Office to commit further resources to your request from the public purse.”
By Emmanuel Kwame Amoh|3news.com|Ghana