Citi News checks have shown that the office is incomplete; a month after the Prosecutor was sworn into office by the President.

The Deputy Special Prosecutor and the Board members needed for the running of the office are yet to be appointed by the President.

This makes the execution of the mandate of the special prosecutor almost impossible.

[contextly_sidebar id=”DOdetexCyBiOfTJGHKTFJmT6eugaBMhU”]Speaking to Citi News, Vitus Azeem, who is also a former head of the Ghana Integrity Initiative, said the delay in resourcing the Special Prosecutor is worrying.

“Looking at the speed with which the bill was passed and his [Martin Amidu’s] appointment and especially when the President appealed to Parliament to do the vetting on time, one would have expected that by now, everything would have been set. So if it is not set, definitely it should be a worry to us because there are people already waiting to make complaints to him. He needs an office to start recruiting staff among others and it is a long process, so we expect it to happen without the delay.”

“The government knew [about the logistical challenges], yet they hurried up with everything. Even in 2017, the opposition said that there was no budget for it, but they still went ahead and approved the bill. And I believe that with the 2018 budget, there should be provision for that organization. It may take a long process but some things should start so that we know that the commitments are there,” he added.

Today, March 23, 2018, is exactly a month since Martin Amidu was sworn in by President Nana Akufo-Addo as Ghana’s first Special Prosecutor.

A month on, it appears everything ended after the day he was sworn in as the office allotted him at Labone in Accra lacks logistics and looks like a private residence.

Citi News‘ visit to the place saw that the unmarked house has a compound too small to accommodate more than one vehicle.

The interior of the one-storey house boasts of a few bedrooms that have been converted into offices fitted with desks for prosecutors and investigators needed for the job.

The Special Prosecutor himself has a small room stuffed with chairs and a dining table which will serve as his office. A few more tiny rooms and cubicles seemed like offices for other staff.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post Resource Special Prosecutor now – Vitus Azeem to gov’t appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

[contextly_sidebar id=”93p4ejYFXdO7qgxuPuK7jzCwJ2QkGxe9″]After the nomination of Martin Amidu as Special Prosecutor and his expected approval by Parliament in the coming days, attention is expected to turn to the composition of the Office.

There appears to be no doubt in the eyes of most Ghanaians that Martin Amidu, also known as the Citizen Vigilante, possesses the requisite integrity and credibility to head the office promised by the New Patriotic Party government to fight corruption within the State machinery.

Speaking on Eyewitness News, Mr. Azeem stressed that Martin Amidu “should have a free hand to decide what cases he wants to investigate” and also who to include in his team.

“In principle, he will be working up to the Attorney General but I don’t think he will be required or compelled to take prosecutions from the Attorney General’s office… if the President is committed and the Attorney General is committed, they will give him the free hand to appoint some of the key persons from outside the Attorney General’s department. That is how it [remains] independent.”

“…But if it is going to be loaded with people from the Attorney General’s department to do the work, then already, they are starting on a false basis,” he added.

Mr. Azeem noted that there were a lot of private lawyers Mr. Amidu could appoint along with investigators from entities like the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO), the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and other institutions.

“So if he has a free hand, he will look around with his top management staff and look for the appropriate people to do the work,” he said.

Also commenting on the matter on Eyewitness News, the Executive Director of the Ghana Integrity Initiative, Linda Ofori-Kwafo urged Ghanaians to remain vigilant and ensure the right processes are followed in the setting up of the special prosecutor’s office.

“What we need to do as an organization and as individuals is to the monitor the implementation of the provisions of the new law so that we see to it that the new appointees work according to what has been provided for in the law.”

“That is the only way we can say that we are being neutral, objective and are doing everything possible to make sure perpetrators of corruption do not go scot free as has happened in the past,” Mrs. Ofori-Kwafo remarked.

The office of the Special Prosecutor will have the mandate 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 accomplices.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Give Amidu freedom to compose Special Prosecutor’s office – Azeem appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Speaking on Eyewitness News, Mr. Azeem said he was questioning “not just capacity but the unwillingness and refusal [of the government] to deal with these things that they promised us, and got our votes to take over the reigns of governance of this country.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”tiVrb1Ryh1ZNtPh9Hx5ZHnjfFaRIijOF”]As the scandal unfolds, the fact that the Minister had appointed her brother Joseph Botchwey, as the acting Administrator of the National Premix Secretariat at a point in time, has shocked many, with some calling for her resignation.

In view of the seeming conflict of interest in the matter, Mr. Azeem suggested that Mrs. Afoley Quaye must step down from her position.

“You come in as a minister and you say there is a new era and you handpick your own brother to be in charge of an area that ends up with these allegations, how do you raise your head in the public? Shouldn’t you say I am bowing out because of this mess I have caused to myself to the family and to the government that I am serving,” he questioned.

For Mr. Azeem, the handling of this scandal could be likened to the leniency meted out to the High Commissioner to South Africa, George Ayisi Boateng, who infamously besmirched his position with blatantly partisan comments, but to no significant consequence.

“Things like this should be dealt with quickly. Get these people out of the way. But this government doesn’t seem to be doing that. We cannot easily forget the South African High Commissioner’s case. They just glossed over them,” Mr. Azeem lamented.

However, there is still hope for the confidence Ghanaians have in the government’s anti-corruption fight if it handles this case well, Mr. Azeem added.

“These are clear credible allegations that have been discussed on the radio. Immediately get the investigation going and if the investigation comes out, make it public and sanction those that have been found to have fallen foul of the law. If you are able to do that to your own people, then we have the confidence that you are really determined to fight corruption.”

Background

At least 200 cases of premix fuel diversions have been cited by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), since January 2017.

The Ministry of Energy, in May 2017, subsequently ordered the Fisheries Ministry to probe the companies alleged to be complicit in the fuel diversion, but that did not happen.

When quizzed on her role in the scandal by Citi News, Mrs. Afoley Quaye said the NPA was in a better position to act on the widespread diversion of premix fuel, because the Ministry did not have a tracking system to identify culprits.

Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, also defended her decision to appoint her brother as the acting Administrator of the National Premix Secretariat, saying he was competent enough, and has since left the position for a substantive person.

CID petitioned

Meanwhile, a civil society group calling itself the Fisheries Alliance, has petitioned the Director General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, to investigate the suspected premix fuel diversion scandal.

In a letter to the CID, the Alliance cited President Nana Akufo-Addo’s directive to ensure investigations into any corruption allegations against his appointees as the reason for their action.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Gov’t posture on premix scandal not inspiring – Vitus Azeem appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

ACP Addo-Danquah replaced DCOP Bright Oduro, who was relieved of his post after just nine months in charge of the CID.

[contextly_sidebar id=”rrUa7cXPN8A2b6XWV7Wffw6nbdhP3Q7B”]The move has generated widespread dissent from many Ghanaians following recent unresolved claims linking the new CID boss to an alleged cover-up of malfeasances in the probe of the two Deputy Chiefs of Staff of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Speaking in an interview with Citi News, Vitus Azeem, who is the Chairman of Tax Justice Coalition, said that the decision to promote ACP Addo-Danquah despite the questions that still linger over her connection to the recent corruption investigations, could mar the public’s perception on the government’s stance on corruption.

He called on the President to reconsider the decision as it could have negative implications for his commitment to fighting corruption in the country.

“That is cause for concern, it’s worrying; especially coming from the President who has pledged to Ghanaians that he is going to fight corruption. It’s definitely a worry,” Vitus Azeem said.

“It’s an indication of the President’s determination to fight corruption that it is an issue of verbal pronouncement without action. I think this is a very serious issue that should have been investigated. If the President voluntarily asks the CID to investigate the initial allegations and the public had expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome, one would have expected the President to do something about it. I think the President should take a second look at what he has done otherwise the politicians will have their way and that is the unfortunate part of the fight against corruption in this country.”

According to Mr Azeem, an internal probe by the police was necessary to clear any doubts that still exist about the police’s handling of the investigation, which might taint future enquiries.

He also reiterated his call for the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to take up the issue in order for the case to see a satisfactory resolution.

“The [best] would have been for CHRAJ to come in and investigate the matter. We haven’t heard of CHRAJ taking up the matter to investigate it, so it creates a dead end. The politicians have seen Ghanaians as people that will make noise for about a week on air and forget about it. Then they’ll be okay to do what they normally do,” Azeem added.

“I had called on the police administration to do an internal investigation and come out with something that will meet the expectations of the public, but this has not happened. We assume that once no one is talking about it, that’s okay. But these are things that are being listed against the government and the police hierarchy. Imagine that next time, as head of the CID, if she investigates issues and people raise issues about partisanship and other things, definitely it will have an effect on the work of the entire police service.”

Doctored or not?

ACP Addo-Danquah, was recently in the news after being accused by Kwame Asare Obeng, also known as A-Plus, of trying to cover-up some malfeasance in the probe of President Akufo-Addo’s two Deputy Chiefs of Staff.

In an audio said to be a leaked recording of a conversation between A-Plus and ACP Addo-Danquah, the police officer was heard advising the A-Plus to deny the allegations because he is a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The Police officer was largely accused of misconduct in the manner she handled the investigation, per the details of the telephone conversation that appeared unprofessional and compromised.

She later claimed that the tape was doctored to portray her in a bad light, a claim A-Plus denied.

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By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Promoting ACP Addo-Danquah not good for corruption fight – Azeem appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

His comment follows the latest controversy over a leaked audio tape purportedly indicating there was a cover-up in the probe of two Presidential staffers by the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service.

“CHRAJ too can, on its own, take up this matter and investigate because it is an allegation of corruption and it is in the media,” he said on Eyewitness News.

[contextly_sidebar id=”GJqY5bGCPcbSB140jRvmoo6jnqLaPdDD”]Mr. Azeem added that, “CHRAJ does not need to wait for anybody to come and say this is a complaint before they do the investigation.”

In the audio recording said to be a conversation between A-Plus and the Deputy Director of the CID, ACP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, the police officer was heard urging A-Plus to recant his allegations because the accused persons, like himself, were members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

But ACP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah has since explained that the tape was doctored to achieve an evil agenda.

The CID investigations into the allegations eventually concluded that the corruption claims leveled against two Deputy Chiefs of Staff, Francis Asenso-Boakye and Abu Jinapor, were unfounded.

Nana Addo can make request

Mr. Azeem, who also suggested that President Nana Akufo-Addo could invite ACP Addo-Danquah for talks, added that the President could equally task CHRAJ to look the into the matter.

“CHRAJ also has the power to do the investigations. There is nothing wrong with the President asking CHRAJ to investigate the matter. He cannot direct or instruct CHRAJ to do what it wants, but he can ask them to, because of the complications, take up this matter and investigate to ensure the confidence of Ghanaians.”

Following the release of this audio tape, authenticity notwithstanding, Mr. Azeem further said the CID now appeared compromised, hence the need for CHRAJ step in.

He said there appeared to “be some credibility gap [concerning the CID] that will need further questioning and investigations.”

“At the end of the day, whether you have doubts or not, at least their [CHRAJ’s] investigation and findings should be more credible because you assume nobody can direct them as to how to conduct the investigations and do their work,” Mr. Azeem added.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post CHRAJ can probe A-Plus saga to restore credibility – Vitus Azeem appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Mr. Azeem’s comment comes after the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, stated that A-Plus could not prove his corruption allegations against the Deputy Chiefs of Staff, Francis Asenso-Boakye, and Abu Jinapor.

[contextly_sidebar id=”ZI1W3ofwQLVFqABHtn1dkx87scAKIcm2″]According to Mr. Azeem, A-Plus cannot go unpunished for making such allegations and failing to substantiate them.

Speaking on Eyewitness News on Monday, he said, “I think we cannot leave it there because we should not allow people to make unsubstantiated claims against individuals and then go free. There should be some action taken.”

Asked if the Police should take up the matter to prosecute A-Plus, he said, “I think so, if there is no basis for making the allegations.”

Vitus Azeem discounted the possibility of fewer people reporting corruption due to the fear of  prosecution if their claims are found to be unfounded.

He said, “…. Maybe it is just for some personal reason that is why you did it. If you cannot prove it, [you should be prosecuted]. It will not even help us at all in the fight against corruption,” he told Richard Sky.

The CID after completing its investigations into the allegations as directed by the President, said “the allegation of corruption was found to be baseless, unsubstantiated and without credibility.”

A-Plus took to Facebook last month to accuse President Akufo-Addo’s two Deputy Chiefs of Staff, Francis Asenso-Boakye, and Abu Jinapor of being corrupt, without giving reasons for the accusation.
Francis Asenso-Boakye subsequently rejected the claims describing it as baseless.

It later emerged that A-Plus’ allegation against the two individuals may be linked to his desire to get an extra contract aside a BOST deal he was given under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.

After receiving some backlash from the public including some members of the government, A-Plus apologized to the President for his actions, admitting that he used the wrong platform to voice out his concerns.

Following a directive from the Office of the President to the CID to look into the matter and an invitation to A-Plus by the CID to provide details of his claims, the musician said in a later interview withdrew his allegations of corruption against the two Deputy Chiefs of Staff.

Meanwhile, the CID has said it is still investigating the claims of corruption made by the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong against the Minister for Communication, Ursula Owusu Ekuful.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Prosecute A-Plus for baseless corruption claims – Vitus Azeem appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The President during the New Patriotic Party’s delegates’ conference over the weekend announced he will not preside over a corrupt administration, further directing the security agencies to investigate persons accused of corruption in his administration.

President Akufo-Addo also stated that persons who make allegations of corruption against his officials should also be prepared to give evidence when called upon.

But Mr. Azeem argued that a lot more than words is needed to give meaning to the Akufo-Addo government’s fight against corruption.

“There is no guarantee that investigations will not be interfered with by the government of the day. These pronouncements have been made in the past by previous governments and so it is not new, yet we don’t see [anything].”

Mr. Azeem noted that the changes in the heads of institutions like Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and the Police Administration after elections did not bode well.

He explained that such developments were “an indication of [a new government] wanting to have some control over those institutions and so, no matter how genuinely committed some of these heads are, they feel a bit obliged to do what government will like to see, and that is the worry.”

The Akufo-Addo administration has already indicated that will begin the prosecution of officials in the Mahama administration in October.

A deputy Attorney General, Joseph Kpemkpa revealed that the government is currently building cases against such officials.

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By: Eugenia Tenkorang/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Fight corruption with action, not words – Vitus Azeem to Nana Addo appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This is after the allegations of bribery levelled against the Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko, by a Minority member of the Appointments Committee, Mahama Ayariga.

[contextly_sidebar id=”dtbJSjen6DPdzVcR3FN9Fo2UeEeQAytY”]Mr. Ayariga accused Mr. Agyarko of bribing the 10 Minority members on the Committee with GHc 3,000 to get his nomination approved.

Mr. Ayariga, along with two other Minority members of the Appointments Committee; Alhassan Suhuyini and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MPs for Tamale North and North Tongu, have written to the Speaker of Parliament calling for a thorough investigation of the bribery claims against the Mr. Agyarko.

But Mr. Azeem has recommended that the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) instead investigate these allegations as a CHRAJ probe into the matter would be more credible in the eyes of Ghanaians.

“I don’t think that an institution where the individuals in the institution accused of certain untoward actions should have that very institution investigating itself. It has something to be with the image of Parliament and natural tendencies. As human beings, the natural tendency is to try to find a way of covering it up. For Ghanaians to believe the outcome, it will be better to get an independent body that will investigate this matter,” he explained to Citi News.

CHRAJ does not even need a petition to probe these allegations, from Mr. Azeem’s viewpoint. “The media reports are enough for CHRAJ to decide to go in and investigate the matter,” he said.

Meanwhile, CHRAJ has indicated that it will allow Parliament to conduct a full-scale investigation into the bribery scandal.

The Commissioner of CHRAJ, Joseph Whittal who made the revelation, however, noted that the Commission will monitor the investigations closely to ensure transparency.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Bribery allegations: Parliament shouldn’t probe itself – Azeem appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Authorities were called to the Beverly Wilshire Hotel after the singer, best known for making a sex tape in 2007 with Kim Kardashian, allegedly grabbed a woman’s backside, according to a release from the Beverly Hills Police Department.

Ray J, who was linked to Whitney Houston shortly before her death, was asked to leave the hotel after police spoke to him and the woman and determined that the incident was not a case of sexual battery and that the contact was “incidental.” But when the 33-year-old got to the valet area, he allegedly acted belligerently and refused to leave.

As police took the brother of singer and actress Brandy into custody, he allegedly kicked and shattered the side window of the police car and spat in an officer’s face. He was booked for trespassing, vandalism, resisting arrest and battery on a police officer.

His bail was set at $20,000, and he was released from custody on Friday night.

The Beverly Wilshite is not commenting on the incident. The rapper’s rep also declined comment.

Source: people.com

The post Ray J arrested for battery, trespassing and vandalism appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.