I returned the money when I was overpaid – Martin Amidu

Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, has disclosed that he was once overpaid when he served as a Deputy Attorney General, but he returned the amount to the state.

He has thus suggested that the National Democratic Congress [NDC] Members of Parliament being investigated for allegedly taking double salaries, could be charged with abuse of office for personal gain if found guilty.

“Indeed, that [Double salary], is an offence of abuse of office for private gain,” Mr. Amidu said.

Some NDC MPs who served as ministers or deputy ministers are currently in hot waters after they were cited by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for allegedly taking double salaries.

25 of the MPs were initially asked to report to the police, but 18 of them were later asked to disregard that invitation.

So far, about eight of them have been interrogated by the CID and are being investigated for stealing; an allegation the Minority in Parliament has rejected.

Speaking in the interview, Martin Amidu advised that the investigations into the scandal must not be thwarted regardless of the pressure.

The Special Prosecutor insisted that he will not have the conscience to prosecute ordinary Ghanaians if the double salary matter is not dealt with appropriately.

“… Why should a Special Prosecutor be prosecuting ordinary Ghanaians and your honourable will be involved in these things then they will be talking to the president to wash it up. Then I have no need sitting here. I won’t even have the conscience to continue.”

“Will I have the conscience to prosecute any other body for corruption if the CID finds something prosecutable and are not allowed to prosecute because Members of Parliament are involved? That is not fair,” he added.