Ayariga arrives in court for corruption probe case

Bawku Central Member of Parliament, Mahama Ayariga has arrived at the Accra High Court following order to be present in court by 1pm.

The legislator stormed the court with the Minority Leader of Parliament; Haruna Iddrisu, North Tongu Member of Parliament; Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Member of Parliament for Keta; Richard Quashigah.

This was after the judge in charge of the case, Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe of the Financial and Tax Court ordered lawyers of the legislator to produce him by 1pm this afternoon for the case to take its natural course or face the consequences.

Other NDC parliamentarians together with Founder of APC, Hassan Ayariga are also at the court to support Mr. Ayariga over the corruption case levelled against him.

Background

Mr Ayariga is being tried by the Office of the Special Prosecutor for alleged tax evasion and the procurement of some ambulances.

However, Ayariga wrote back to the Special Prosecutor indicating that he cannot be present in court on Tuesday since he is an MP and will be in Parliament.



“I can come to court on any other day when Parliament is not sitting,” Ayariga wrote. Keeping his word, Ayariga did not appear in court when both cases were called on Tuesday morning.



However, the presiding judge, Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe has asked the legislator to be produced in court insisting that “whatever happens you are coming back today, so go and agree when all of you can be present.” The case is a criminal case and cannot proceed without him being present, the judge indicated.