Ex-MP calls for Amidu's prosecution for causing financial loss

Former Member of Parliament for Nanton Constituency Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed says the Special Prosecutor, Martin Alamisi Burnes Kaiser Amidu, should be dragged to court for allegedly “causing financial loss” to the country.

The former deputy Trades and Industry Minister does not deem Mr. Amidu fit for the job, raising questions of credibility about him prior to his appointment last year.

Speaking on TV3’s New Day on Friday, Murtala Mohammed thought Mr. Amidu should be made to face the law for using state funds, yet not being able to successfully prosecute any corruption case.

“You’re looking at a man who is extremely bitter, who in my estimation has lost every credibility in terms of his fight against corruption, who himself I think should be prosecuted for causing financial loss to the state,” he said.

According to the former minister of state, the Special Prosecutor, at the time of vetting, did not prove he was coming to do a good job to fight corruption.

He claimed Martin Amidu made “baseless” allegations he could not substantiate before the committee beyond saying “[the allegations] were based on perceptions”.

On that score, the former deputy information minister questioned how credible Mr. Amidu could be in his pursuit against corruption.

Murtala Mohammed specifically claimed Mr. Amidu peddled falsehood against former President John Mahama and the NDC administration but “was never willing to debate anybody on those preposterous and baseless allegations he was making”.

The Nanton MP was contributing to a discussion on the Special Prosecutor’s legal tussle with Member of Parliament (MP) for Bawku Central Constituency, Mahama Ayariga, who has promised a showdown in court.

Ayariga to challenge Special Prosecutor

Murtala Mohammed, however, said there are no qualms if the Special Prosecutor prosecutes people for corruption, but he cautioned that allegations of corruption will also be challenged in court.

He also noted the Office of the Special Prosecutor will soon be inundated with petitions considering the number of corruption allegations in the country, especially those against the Akufo-Addo-led NPP government.