I’ll be sensible but will deal with looters – Martin Amidu

The Special Prosecutor nominee Mr Martin Amidu has served notice he will discharge his responsibilities “reasonably” devoid of witch-hunting.

Appearing before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Tuesday, February 13, 2018, Mr Amidu emphasised he will pursue cases in the nation’s interest and will create room for those who are willing to return looted funds if they satisfy certain conditions.

“The office will be reasonable and act in the nation’s interests. If a person agrees to get the money back, ensuring they do that is better than imprisoning them and feeding them with state funds until they grow old and are pardoned,” the former Deputy Attorney general said.

He repeated: “If a person agrees to pay back the money they have misappropriated, ensuring they do that is better than imprisoning them and feeding them with state funds until they grow old and are pardoned.

“Those who think they’ve hidden some [funds] abroad shouldn’t approve me because if they do, I will find it. I have done it before and under my office, it will be done again.”

Mr Amidu promised to be apolitical in executing his duties.

“Prosecutors would not allow others to play politics with them. The duty of the prosecutor is to serve the people by making sure crime is reduced.

“I can assure everybody that politics will not influence my job, people who fall foul will be dealt with no matter where they come from,” the Citizen Vigilante served notice.

About Martin Amidu

Martin A. B. K. Amidu was the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice from January 2011 till January 2012 under the late President John Evans Atta-Mills.

Amidu, a member of the NDC, served as the Deputy Attorney-General for about the last four years of the Provisional National Defence Council military government.

After civilian rule was established in the Fourth Republic in January 1993, he continued to serve in the government of Jerry Rawlings as Deputy Attorney-General. This he did for both terms lasting eight years until January 2001.

In the December 2000 presidential elections, he stood as the running mate of John Atta Mills. They both, however, lost to President John Kufuor that year.