Produce yourself now – Court orders Ayariga

A justice of the Financial and Tax Court, Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe, on Tuesday, 4 June 2019 asked the lawyers of Bawku Central MP, Mr Mahama Ayariga to produce him in court to answer questions in a corruption-related case brought against him by the Special Prosecutor, Mr Martin Amidu.

Mr Ayariga had earlier told Mr Amidu that he would be unable to accept his invitation to appear in court on Tuesday, 4 June 2019 because he [Ayariga] had parliamentary duties.

“My inability to honour your invitation is because parliament is in session and will be sitting on that day – Tuesday, 4 June 2019. The parliament of Ghana, when in session sits on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and any other day appointed by the Speaker that is not a public holiday,” Mr Ayariga said in a letter, adding: “I can come to court on any other day when parliament is not sitting," he said in a statement.

Mr Amidu is prosecuting Mr Ayariga for tax and duty evasion.

Mr Amidu’s suit against Mr Ayariga was filed some two weeks ago with five charges levelled against the lawmaker.

Mr Amidu alleged that Mr Ayariga abused the privileges he enjoyed as an MP by conniving with a private company to secure a loan, import three cheaper vehicles from Dubai and failed to pay duties on them under the guise that they were for official duty.