Martin Amidu has said he is confident when approved as Ghana’s first Special Prosecutor he will lead a team of experienced investigators to clamp down on public sector corruption.
“If we must succeed in the fight against corruption, we’ll have to set up strong institutions,” he told the Appointment’s Committee of Parliament, adding: “When we have a complement of staff, I’ll lead them in ways that will help in catching the thieves.”
According to him, “thieves fear experienced, tested and credible investigators they know they can’t influence…that is the way to deal with crime.”
Mr. Amidu who President Akufo-Addo observed will put “the fear of God” in all public officials who are intending to go down the path of corruption, told the vetting committee that he is the best choice for the tedious fight against corruption.
“…That’s why if you want anybody who will be meticulous in investigation and prosecution, the president has made the best choice for,” he said Tuesday February 13, 2018 during his vetting.
“But if you want somebody who will look other way just disapprove,” he added.
Mr. Amidu, who came to be known as “Citizen Vigilante” for his ceaseless anti-corruption ‘airstrikes’ further stated that he accepted the nomination to be the country’s first Special Prosecutor because he wants to stop the leakages and corruption bedeviling the country since the return to constitutional rule.
“It’s important that this country is stabilized to make sure that no one gets the excuse to stage a coup. This can be done when we protect the national purse,” Mr. Amidu said.
The vetting of Mr. Amidu was in near limbo after a former deputy Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine filed a suit at the at the Supreme Court on Monday, arguing that the nominee is too old to hold the position.
He wants the apex court of the land to annul the appointment because “…by reason of his age, (66 years), Mr. Martin Alamisi Burns Kaiser Amidu is not qualified or eligible to be approved by Parliament as the Special Prosecutor under Section 13(3) of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2018 (Act 959).”
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