The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has commenced preliminary investigations into an alleged GH¢70,000 payment reportedly linked to the vetting of ministerial and Supreme Court nominees by Parliament’s Appointments Committee.

The investigation concerns a purported memorandum attributed to Asokwa MP and Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, and addressed to Minority Chief Whip and Nsawam-Adoagyiri MP, Frank Annoh-Dompreh.

In the document, Mrs Appiagyei allegedly said she had returned GH¢70,000 presented to her as an advance from the Majority Chief Whip in connection with the Appointments Committee’s vetting activities.

The OSP said in a statement issued on Friday, September 4, that the contents of the document raised questions about the source and purpose of the alleged funds.

“Taking into consideration the content of the document to the effect that Hon. Patricia Appiagyei purportedly cast doubt on the source of the alleged funds and that it had the hallmarks of extortion of the nominees, the OSP has commenced a preliminary investigation into the veracity of the document, the source of the alleged funds, and the purpose of the alleged funds,” the statement said.

As part of the preliminary investigation, the OSP said it has invited Mrs Appiagyei to appear before the office and assist with its inquiries.

The investigation is expected to establish whether the purported memorandum is genuine, as well as determine the source and intended purpose of the alleged GH¢70,000.

The OSP said it is also actively investigating allegations of extortion involving Members of Parliament.

The development comes amid conflicting accounts over the alleged payment.

The Minority Caucus has disputed the authenticity of the memorandum circulating in connection with Mrs Appiagyei.

Second Deputy Minority Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, has reportedly dismissed the claim that the Asokwa MP returned GH¢70,000 given to her for the vetting of ministers and Supreme Court nominees, describing the document as fake.

The dispute over the document's authenticity makes the OSP's decision to establish its veracity a key part of the investigation.

Earlier reports had indicated that Mrs Appiagyei rejected the alleged payment because she did not know its source and did not want to personally benefit from the vetting of members of the Majority leadership.

The controversy has renewed scrutiny of the financial arrangements surrounding Parliament’s Appointments Committee and the conduct of members during the vetting of presidential nominees.

The Appointments Committee plays a constitutionally important role in scrutinising nominees for ministerial positions and other high-level appointments, including Supreme Court justices.

The allegations have therefore raised broader questions about whether members of the committee receive money connected to the vetting process and, if so, the source and purpose of such payments.

The Africa Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA) has separately called for an independent investigation into the allegations, with its Executive Director, Dr Rasheed Draman, saying Parliament should determine whether such payments are part of a wider practice within its committees.

He has also suggested that Parliament could establish an ad hoc committee, potentially supported by eminent Ghanaians without a direct interest in the matter, to examine the issue.

The OSP's preliminary investigation will focus on three central issues: whether the purported memorandum is authentic, where the alleged GH¢70,000 came from, and what the money was intended for.

Mrs Appiagyei is expected to assist the OSP as investigators seek to establish the facts surrounding the document and the alleged payment.