A member of Parliament’s Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, has called for a bi-partisan audit of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), urging Parliament to exercise its oversight responsibility over the institution.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, the Manhyia South MP argued that since the OSP was established by an Act of Parliament, it is important for legislators to scrutinize its operations to ensure transparency and accountability.
“There must be a bipartisan audit of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP). The power to prosecute under Article 88 belongs to the Attorney General, but in this instance, the power to oversee the OSP comes from Parliament. Therefore, Parliament must be informed about what is happening in that office. The Parliament’s Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee has oversight, and we should utilize it.
“However, our partisan nature makes it difficult for us to engage in any frank discussions. As a nation, we have become overly partisan. How can the Attorney General be lamenting about the difficulties in assessing information to assist the OSP? This is a serious matter,” he said.
The lawmaker further questioned the OSP’s recent actions, including the Interpol red alert issued for former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and the addition of money laundering charges involving GH¢15 million on Mustapha Hamid, calling for clarity on the legal grounds and investigative process.
He also cautioned against excessive partisanship in handling matters of national accountability.
“The OSP’s Act is supposed to allow for collaboration with all state agencies. So, what were the grounds for issuing the Interpol red alert on Ken Ofori-Atta? We need to critically examine that office because the power to arrest, investigate, and prosecute is not to be taken lightly. If a person is not cooperating with other agencies, they should be questioned. Is there indeed a docket on Ken Ofori-Atta?
“Mustapha Hamid mentioned that the OSP has added money laundering to the charge sheet with a figure of 15 million cedis. We should ask ourselves if the OSP has conducted any further investigations since the search in March. Is he now realizing that the man has 15 million and adding this to the charge sheet? We shouldn’t be a country that allows individuals to work only for themselves and not for the nation. We should ask questions and be critical. Let’s begin to put down the notion that the OSP is entirely independent and does whatever he wants,” he added.
His comments come after Sammy Darko, Director of Strategy, Research and Communication at the OSP, denied reports of friction between the OSP and the Attorney-General’s Office.
Mr. Darko explained that the OSP is finalizing its investigations before handing over case materials for prosecution, noting that due process and thorough investigations take time to ensure fairness.
Source: Farida Seidu| Adomonline
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