Parliament backs OSP probe into alleged GH¢70k payment to Patricia Appiagyei
Parliament has welcomed investigations by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) into allegations surrounding an alleged GH¢70,000 payment connected to the work of the Appointments Committee.
The Parliamentary Service said the Speaker supports any lawful investigation aimed at establishing the facts surrounding a memorandum circulating on social media that was purportedly authored by Deputy Minority Leader and Asokwa MP, Patricia Appiagyei.
The document reportedly concerns the alleged return of GH¢70,000.
However, conflicting claims have emerged over the authenticity of the memorandum, with subsequent reports categorically denying that Appiagyei authored it.
In a statement signed by Director of Media Relations David Sebastian Damoah, Parliament said it had not independently established whether the document was genuine and would therefore refrain from taking a position on the competing claims for now.
Parliament nevertheless said allegations involving payments allegedly linked to the work of a parliamentary committee, particularly the Appointments Committee, warrant proper investigation.
The Parliamentary Service also expressed concern that the memorandum could have been fabricated and falsely attributed to an MP, warning that such conduct could damage public confidence in Parliament and its processes.
The Speaker has consequently urged the OSP to investigate the matter “thoroughly and expeditiously”, including determining whether the memorandum is authentic and whether the allegations contained in it are truthful.
Parliament has pledged to fully cooperate with the OSP and any other competent investigative authority in the lawful performance of their duties.
The Parliamentary Service further stated that if investigations establish that the memorandum was fabricated or falsely attributed to the Deputy Minority Leader, the matter should not end with that finding.
It called on the appropriate investigative authorities to work with the Cyber Security Authority and other relevant law enforcement agencies to identify those responsible for producing and circulating the document.
Where sufficient evidence is established, Parliament said those responsible should face the appropriate sanctions under the law.
The Speaker considers the fabrication and deliberate circulation of documents falsely presented as originating from Members of Parliament or parliamentary offices a serious threat to the integrity and reputation of the institution.
Parliament has therefore urged the public, media and other stakeholders to exercise caution when sharing the memorandum or drawing conclusions from it until its authenticity and the circumstances surrounding its circulation have been established.
The Parliamentary Service said the Speaker remains committed to ensuring that the facts are established and that appropriate legal action is taken where necessary.
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