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Ayine’s lawsuit is against Ghana’s progress – Majority

Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine Dominic Ayine, Bolgatanga MP

Thu, 22 Feb 2018 Source: myxyzonline.com

The majority in Parliament has condemned the lawsuit of Bolgatanga MP, Dr. Dominic Ayine against Mr. Martin Amidu as the Special prosecutor, saying it opposes national development.

Dr Ayine, a former deputy Attorney General under the John Mahama administration, kicked against the approval of Mr. Amidu on Tuesday following a Supreme Court suit but the House eventually approved him.

XYZ News’ Parliamentary correspondent, Charles Akrofi reported that Dr Ayine, who is also Deputy Minority Ranking Member on Constitutional Affairs committee drew on Standing order 93(1), to support his claim, but Mr Amidu was eventually approved after the Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, ruled against Dr. Ayine’s argument.

But reacting to the issues of the lawsuit on Morning Xpress on Radio XYZ Wednesday, the deputy Majority Chief Whip, Matthew Nyindam, said the drama that happened in parliament prior to Mr Amidu’s confirmation was “an affront to parliament” because to him, Dr. Ayine should have waited for the apex court ruling.

He said Parliament’s approval of the Special Prosecutor did not in any way “prejudice the court’s [future] decision”.

Describing the suit, Mr Nyindam, who is also the MP for Kpandai, said: “Those things do not promote development. It doesn’t promote democracy, it doesn’t promote transparency and accountability.”

“Even if you look at the suit and the application they themselves made, those who are in court including my senior brother, Dr. Ayine they are saying that whatever the parliament is doing if the court upholds their application it means whatever parliament has done is null and void so what is their fear again?. . So it [Dr. Ayine’s objection] was needless. . .I thought maybe he wanted to be heard [and] wanted to show that he’sa member of parliament, he’s in court and everybody should hear him but it was a wrong forum,” said Mr Nyindam.

Court Will Uphold Amidu’s Appointment

Meanwhile, the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Gloria Akuffo, on Tuesday, shockingly disclosed that the Supreme Court will uphold the appointment of Martin Amidu as Special Prosecutor in the pending law suit.

It is unclear what the outcome of the suit filed by former deputy Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine challenging the eligibility of Martin Amidu as Special Prosecutor will be.

But speaking to journalists after Parliament had approved the nomination of Mr. Amidu, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice said she is “confident that Martin Amidu’s appointment will be confirmed by the Supreme Court.”

“There is no cloud as far as I am concerned . . .Somebody thinks that age is a bar to it [Amidu’s appointment]. I think not,” she added.

Arguing on the merit of the approval, Madam Akuffo said “The mere initiation of a suit does not serve as an injunction. In the absence of that, I think Parliament is right in proceeding with the approval. In the absence of an injunction Parliament is free to proceed and they are right to do so.”

Mr. Amidu is expected to be sworn soon by President Nana Akufo-Addo to become the first Special Prosecutor of the country.

Source: myxyzonline.com
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