- Asiedu Nketia loses faith in Martin Amidu's principles.
- Amidu petitions President to remove Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng
- Allegations include procurement breaches and abuse of justice
The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has expressed his disappointment and shock at the actions of former Attorney-General and first Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu. Amidu’s petition to President Nana Akufo-Addo to remove current Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng has left Asiedu Nketia questioning the principles of his former colleague.
In an interview on Accra-based JoyNews on Thursday, May 23, 2024, Asiedu Nketia revealed that he had trusted Amidu’s principles until this petition. “The Martin Amidu I know, until this thing was done, I trusted that he was a very principled person. My faith in his being principled is badly shaken,” he said.
Amidu’s petition, dated April 30, alleged that Kissi Agyebeng had breached procurement laws, abused the administration of justice, and violated citizens’ rights. However, Asiedu Nketia is unsure of the motive behind Amidu’s quest to see Agyebeng removed.
The NDC Chairman expressed surprise that Amidu would petition the same person he once described as the “Mother serpent of corruption” to address perceived corrupt acts. “He shouldn’t have done that at all. I am still trying to understand why,” Asiedu Nketia said.
Asiedu Nketia questioned Amidu’s credibility, stating that his decision to petition the President has weakened his previous efforts to fight corruption. “Comrade Martin, have you abandoned your view that Nana Akufo-Addo is the mother serpent of corruption? Or you still hold that view?” he asked.
The NDC Chairman pointed out the hypocrisy in Amidu’s actions, highlighting that when Amidu faced a similar roadblock during his tenure, he resigned and spoke out against the President. “If your successor has come to a similar roadblock and the President is demanding his resignation, won’t you show solidarity? But you are rather making yourself the tool for the President to be able to achieve his objective of fighting those who are fighting corruption,” he said.
Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo forwarded Amidu’s petition to the Chief Justice for action to be taken on May 6, sparking concerns about the haste with which the President acted on the petition.
Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo subsequently requested Kissi Agyebeng’s comments on the petition to help her ascertain if a prima facie case has been established.
Asiedu Nketia’s comments highlight the divisions within the NDC and the anti-corruption movement, with some questioning Amidu’s motives and others supporting his actions.
The developments have sparked a heated debate about corruption, accountability, and the role of the Special Prosecutor in Ghana’s fight against graft.
