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Martin Amidu as Special Prosecutor will be universally accepted- Emile Short

By Justice Kofi Bimpeh
Emile Short
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Former Commissioner for Human Rights and Administrative Justice, CHRAJ, Emile Francis Short, has said the appointment of Martin Amidu as the first-ever special prosecutor for the country will be universally accepted by all political divides.

According to him, the appointment of Martin Amidu by President Akufo-Addo is the most appropriate decision the President has made.

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“We should all congratulate the president for this wise and prudent appointment.”

Emile Short noted the appointment shows the President's commitment to fighting corruption in the country.

He added Martin Amidu has a sound record and has in past years proven to be the one with the courage to lead the fight against corruption.

“He, Martin Amidu, is independent-minded and I am sure he is someone who will not be influenced by political or party consideration. He is someone who has been proven to be very objective.”

Emile Short lauds the appointment of Martin Amidu as Special Prosecutor

Martin Amidu is Special Prosecutor nominee

President Akufo-Addo on Thursday, January 11 nominated Martin Amidu former Attorney General as the Special Prosecutor of the Republic of Ghana.

In a short ceremony at the Flagstaff House to make known his nomination, the President said "the Attorney General by a letter Thursday 11th January 2018, addressed to me, exercised the power of nomination and submitted to me for my acceptance the name of the proposed special prosecutor, I have accepted the Attorney General's nomination and will, in turn, submit for parliament's approval when it reconvenes on the 23rd of January 2018...the name of Martin Alamisi Keiser Amidu to be the first Special Prosecutor."

Akufo-Addo nominates Martin Amidu as special prosecutor

About the Office of the Special Prosecutor

President Akufo Addo on January 2, 2018, assented the Special Prosecutor Bill.

According to the President, the new law formed part of the most important elements of the NPP's 2016 Manifesto, on which the NPP was elected into office, and it had now found legislative expression.

In an effort to stamp out corruption in the country, Akufo- Addo made a campaign promise in 2016, to create the office of the Special Prosecutor to bring corrupt officials to book.

The bill was then passed by parliament in November 2017 after its third reading.

What the Office of Special Prosecutor will do

The Special Prosecutor is a specialized agency to investigate specific cases of corruption involving public officers, and politically exposed persons in the performance of their functions as well as individuals in the private sector implicated in the commission of corruption and prosecute these offences on the authority of the Attorney-General.

The office is independent of the Executive, which observers believe will allow it to adequately deal with corruption-related issues which have plagued past governments.

It is mandated to investigate and prosecute cases of alleged corruption under the Public Procurement Act 203 Act 63 and other corruption-related offences implicating public officers, political office holders and their accomplices in the public sector.

The Prosecutor will also be mandated to trace and recover the proceeds of corruption.

Martin Amidu, will only witch-hunt members of the opposition party.

NDC's comment on the appointment of Martin Amidu

National Organiser of the NDC has said the newly appointed Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, will only witch-hunt members of the opposition party.

Kofi Adams said Martin A.B.K Amidu’s posture since the NPP took over power from the NDC vis-à-vis his assertions during the John Mahama’s regime clearly indicates that he is “a bitter person”.

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