Speaker Bagbin Urges OSP To Fast-Track Probe Into Alleged GH¢70k Vetting Payment

Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has urged the Office of the Special Prosecutor to expedite investigations into the alleged GH¢70,000 payment linked to the Appointments Committee's vetting exercise.

The allegation involves Deputy Minority Leader and Asokwa MP Patricia Appiagyei, who is said to have been offered the money in connection with the vetting of ministerial and Supreme Court nominees.

In a statement issued by Parliament on Saturday, September 5, Speaker Bagbin said the matter requires thorough scrutiny because it touches on the integrity of a parliamentary committee.

"The Rt. Hon. Speaker welcomes any lawful investigation directed at establishing the facts and urges the Office of the Special Prosecutor to pursue the matter thoroughly and expeditiously," the statement said.

Mr Bagbin said the investigation must establish whether the payment was actually made and whether the memorandum at the centre of the controversy is genuine.

"Parliament wishes to state that it has not independently verified the authenticity of the memorandum and will therefore not, at this stage, make any determination as to the truth or otherwise of the competing claims," Parliament stated.

He added that if the document is found to be fake, further action must be taken.

"Should the investigations establish that the memorandum is fabricated or was falsely attributed to the Deputy Minority Leader, the Rt. Hon. Speaker considers it imperative that the matter does not end with that finding," he said.

The Speaker called for the Cyber Security Authority and other relevant security agencies to be brought in to identify those behind the alleged fabrication and to ensure they face legal consequences if evidence supports it.

The controversy stems from a purported memo allegedly written by Mrs Appiagyei to Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, claiming she had returned GH¢70,000 given to her as an advance for the vetting exercise.

Mrs Appiagyei has denied the claims, describing the memo as fabricated. The OSP has commenced preliminary investigations into the veracity, source and circumstances of the alleged payment.

Parliament has urged the public and media to exercise restraint and avoid circulating the disputed document or drawing conclusions until the facts are established.