The Special Prosecutor Matin Amidu says his passion for the establishment of an independent and impartial anti-corruption Office of the Special Prosecutor made him to work as special prosecutor though he was never payed any salary since his appointment.
In a press statement on Monday 16th November 2020 to announce his resignation he recounted some of the challenges he faced as the special prosecutor with regards to payment of emoluments to him and his deputy but Mr. Amidu was ready to work against corruption and to make corruption a high risk enterprise.
‘’No efforts to honor any of the conditions of appointment in terms of emoluments and benefits of the appointment ever since my warrant of appointment was issued on 23rd February 2018 to the date of my letter of resignation. I accepted the offer on 10th January 2018 to be nominated to be Special Prosecutor because Mr. President, and Ghanaians knew I have been an anti-corruption crusader all my life and not an anti-corruption entrepreneur. This explains why I have never put the emoluments and benefits of the Office as central to my commitment and my passion for the establishment of an independent, effective, efficient and impartial anti-corruption Office of the Special Prosecutor .’’
Special prosecutor indicated that his only shield against the threats and plans directed at him was lost due to ” the events 12th November, 2020″.
November 12th 2020 happens to be the day the sadden death of the late Former J.J Rawlings occurred even though he did not clearly cite President Rawlings some political commentators suspects that Mr. Amidu was referring to his former boss.
‘’The events of 12th November 2020 removed the only protection I had from the threats and plans directed at me for undertaking the Agyapa Royalties Limited Transactions anti-corruption assessment report and dictates that I resign as the Special Prosecutor immediately. Fear is the enemy of change and I am prepared from the vacuum created on 12th November 2020 to meet the threats of my demise as the price to pay for serving my country without fear or favor affection or ill will.’’
Mr. Amidu said the president acted in ways that amounted to usurping his powers as Special Prosecutor which he was not ready to play poodle.
‘’The reaction I received for daring to produce the Agyapa Royalties Limited Transactions anti-corruption report convinces me beyond any reasonable doubt that I was not intended to exercise any independence as the Special Prosecutor in the prevention, investigation, prosecution, and recovery of assets of corruption. My position as the Special Prosecutor has consequently become clearly untenable.’’
The Office of Special Prosecutor recently published an anti-corruption risk assessment on Agypa Royalty transaction which interdicted the finance Minister and his deputy for some forms of improprieties.
Adekurah Wisdom.