Audio By Carbonatix
The Member of Parliament for Effutu Constituency says the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is setting a bad precedent with the arrest of two government officials.
“Are we documentation examiners? Are we fraud examiners? On what basis did we say the document is compromised,” Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
Chairman of PAC, James Klutse Avedzi, on Monday, ordered the arrest of two officials who were picked up by Parliament’s police after they were cited for irregularities at the Sefwi Akontombra Assembly in the Western region.
Isaac Akowaah, a former District Finance Officer of the assembly and James Esilfie, the current District Finance Officer, were accused of conniving to lie to the committee over irregularities cited in their report, hence their arrest.
In an interview on Accra-based Citi FM, Mr Afenyo-Markin questioned the PAC’s order for the arrest of two district assembly officials accused of lying to the Committee.
Alexander Afenyo-Markin
“We shouldn’t set a bad precedent. Under criminal jurisprudence, due process is essential, therefore to me, as a matter of law, if there were issues regarding the testimonies, Avedzi should have filed a complaint or go to the police to file a complaint,” he said.
Mr Afenyo-Markin added that Mr Avedzi could even compromise the committee’s mandate by “overzealously acting in a manner that will abuse people’s rights” because certain conclusions “require proper investigative evaluation.”
Alexander Afenyo-Markin
“We shouldn’t set a bad precedent. Under criminal jurisprudence, due process is essential, therefore to me, as a matter of law, if there were issues regarding the testimonies, Avedzi should have filed a complaint or go to the police to file a complaint,” he said.
Mr Afenyo-Markin added that Mr Avedzi could even compromise the committee’s mandate by “overzealously acting in a manner that will abuse people’s rights” because certain conclusions “require proper investigative evaluation.”
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Gunfire silences prosperity as PLO Lumumba warns of ‘bleeding’ African continent
11 minutes -
African Leaders must shift from speeches to action – P.L.O Lumumba
42 minutes -
Ace Ankomah demands radical overhaul of Ghana’s science and innovation sector
52 minutes -
Trump signs executive order threatening tariffs for countries trading with Iran
1 hour -
From Hollywood to the homeland: Why African countries are courting black American stars
1 hour -
Ambulance service slams ‘taxi transfer’ of newborn as viral negligence claims debunked
2 hours -
High stakes in Ayawaso East as NDC delegates head to the polls today
2 hours -
Youth unemployment is the biggest threat to Africa – Gabby
3 hours -
Minority demands urgent Finance Minister summons as ‘Agbogbloshie’ prices ignite parliamentary clash
3 hours -
Baba Jamal’s highest will be 38% in Ayawaso East NDC primary – Mussa Dankwah
4 hours -
Stranded beans and staggering debts: Ghana’s cocoa sector faces systemic crisis
4 hours -
Chief Justice sets up special courts for corruption and galamsey
5 hours -
Airport renaming and inflation trends to take centre stage on Joy Prime’s Prime Insight this Saturday
6 hours -
Ghana losing long-term investment capital over absence of Limited Partnerships Law – GVCA CEO
6 hours -
Experts to dissect airport renaming, economic trajectory and Dr Bawumia’s victory on Newsfile this Saturday
6 hours
