Martin Amidu has been approved by Parliament as the country’s first Special Prosecutor to tackle corruption cases in the country.
Presenting the Committee’s report on the floor of Parliament, chairman of the Appointment Committee, Joe Osei-Owusu indicated that Mr Amidu was in a good position for the job.
“Mr. Amidu’s high standard of competence , forthrightness in answering questions, independent mindedness, selflessness, solid principles and an in-depth appreciation of the task ahead backed by his onerous experience, knowledge of the law and his promise to be above political colourization, the nominee qualifies to serve as the Special Prosecutor”.
Hitherto, Deputy Minority Ranking Member on Constitutional Affairs, Dr. Dominic Ayine, asked Parliament to put the approval on hold, as his suit against Mr. Amidu’s nomination is still pending at the Supreme Court.
Dr. Ayine who filed the suit last week says, the 66-year old nominee is unqualified for the post.
This is because he is past the statutory age limit for public service – 66 years.
Quoting Standing Orders of parliament, he requested that the speaker rules on whether the house can debate an issue which is being heard by the courts.
But Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, rebutted explaining that the NDC MP’s intervention was premature.
This is because, by Standing Orders 81, the motion has to be moved and seconded before any discussion including Ayine’s intervention can be entertained.
Parliament subsequently went on to debate the Appointments Committee report and unanimously approved his appointment.
