Politics

Ayariga challenged over Amidu’s invitation refusal

A US-based Constitutional Lawyer, Professor Kwaku Asare has described as “misplaced” the exchange of correspondences between the Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu and Bawku Central Member of Parliament (MP) Mahama Ayariga, who has turned down a June 4 court invitation by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) over the corruption probe involving him.

According to Mr Ayariga, the former Minister of Youth and Sports, he would not be able to attend to court on the said date because Parliament would be in session and he would be working for his constituents.

However, Prof. Asare had pointed out that Mr Ayariga had got it wrong and must make himself available in court saying “this is noise. Both parties must stop personalising the case and making it a political issue but rather, they should argue their cases in court. Since Mr Amidu is under no obligation to write to the legislator to appear in court, it was misplaced.

Mr Amidu has sued Mr Ayariga for abusing his office among other offences. This is the first case the OSP is pursuing in court since its formation more than a year ago. Joined to the suit is one Kendrick Akwasi Marfo of ATLAS-Rent-A-Car company.

According to the writ sighted “Mahama Ayariga aged 44 years in November 2017 at Tema in the Greater Accra Region did fraudulently evade customs duties and taxes by paying GH¢6,062.86 instead of the approved duties and taxes of GH¢36,597.15 to clear three Toyota V8 Land Cruisers.

He is also accused of “allegedly abusing his office as a public officer for his private benefit by “selling three Toyota V8 Land Cruisers with registration numbers GR 2220-18, GR 2221-18 and GR 2222-18 meant to be used for official duties as a Member of Parliament to Kendrick Akwasi Marfo of ATLAS-Rent-A-Car at a price of GH¢40,000 each.” – starrfmonline.com

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