‘Idle’ Martin Amidu must be interested in Bukari's bribery scandal – Maurice Ampaw

Private legal practitioner, Maurice Ampaw is calling for the prosecution of former Minister of State at the Presidency, Rockson Bukari, over allegations of complicity in some illegal mining issues.

Mr. Bukari resigned his post effective Monday, April 29 following reports he attempted to bribe a journalist to drop a story against Chinese mining firm, Shaanxi Mining Company in the Upper East region.

He had told the journalist – Starr FM’s Upper East Region correspondent Edward Adeti – the publication would affect the relationship between the Chinese managers and the traditional authorities, specifically the Tongorana.

His resignation, according to Lawyer Ampaw is certainly not enough considering the fact that bribery and corruption are criminal under the laws of the country.

Speaking on Kumasi-based Abusua FM, Mr. Ampaw intimated that Bukari should be investigated and put before the court to serve as a deterrent to others.

He noted that the Office of the Special Prosecutor should at least prove its potency with the case, having been overly silent since assumption of office.

“Resignation is not deterrent enough,” Ampaw insists. “If a man of his caliber resigns on the back of corruption allegation, then the issue has to be investigated. He must quickly be put before court. The Attorney General, Martin Amidu must be interested in this case.

“We’re tired of Martin Amidu. Tell him we are tired of him. He’s been idle for too long. We’ve not seen any action from him yet. At least, this should be his first case. This is a cool chop.

“Some judges were sacked based on allegations. So if it’s criminal, why should we sit and accept resignation and close the chapter? When this happens, we will lose the fight against corruption and bribery. Let’s not make it seem like when a politician is involved in bribery and corruption, the remedy is to resign. If this is what Martin Amidu will do, then his office is useless.”

Mr Bukari had earlier denied the allegation as he insisted he was only intervening.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Minister’s approach by way of pleading with Edeti is typical with his peace-making intervention approach to situations, and in this case, sought to avoid what he was informed was a misjudgment sought to be projected to hurt the reputation of a retiring judge in the region he had superintended as minister,” a statement from his office said.