Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has called for an expedited investigation into a disputed memorandum allegedly linking Deputy Minority Leader and Asokwa MP, Madam Patricia Appiagyei, to the return of GH¢70,000.
The purported memo, attributed to Madam Appiagyei, allegedly concerns payments connected to the work of Parliament’s Appointments Committee. Its authenticity, however, has been disputed.
In a statement signed by Parliament’s Director of Media Relations, David Sebastian Damoah, Parliament said it had not independently verified the document and would not determine the truth of the competing claims at this stage.
“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.”
Bagbin welcomed the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) investigation and urged the anti-corruption agency to establish the authenticity of the document and the veracity of the allegations.
“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, including establishing the authenticity or otherwise of the memorandum and the veracity of the claims contained in it.”
The OSP has invited Madam Appiagyei to assist with its preliminary investigation into the matter.
The Speaker also warned that if the document is found to have been fabricated, those responsible for creating and circulating it should be identified and dealt with appropriately.
“The fabrication and deliberate circulation of documents purporting to emanate from Members or offices of Parliament would constitute a serious assault on the integrity and reputation of the institution.”
Bagbin has consequently urged the public and the media to exercise caution and refrain from drawing conclusions until the authenticity of the document and the circumstances surrounding it are established.
