Many political analysts and social commentators have argued that, the referral of bribery allegations levelled against former Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Mr. Charles Adu Boahen, to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) for further investigation will not amount to fair hearing.
According to them, Mr. Kissi Agyebeng should step down from handling the case due to his long standing relationship with Anas, adding that, attempting to probe the case will amount to conflict of interest.
“Here is a person who more or less has the issue of conflict of interest. His firm has been defending Anas with a number of legal issues in court as we speak. Now he’s been appointed as the Special Prosecutor. Many people doubt whether Charles will be given a fair hearing because of where the OSP is coming from; his background and the clients involved in this case” Sammy Wiafe, a Political Commentator said.
Editor of the Finder Newspaper, Elvis Darko also insinuated that the accused, Charles Adu Boahen, may not be too comfortable with the SP’s position as Anas’ former Lawyer and so it is best if the SP rejects the job.
“The relationship between Anas and the OSP dates way back… Charles can raise an issue and say he doesn’t feel comfortable [about] the man in charge. He can say because of the SP’s previous relationship with Anas he doesn’t trust he will do a fair job.”
Gordon Asare Bediako, Editor of the New Crusading Guide, on his part claimed it won’t be fair should the SP investigate the issue.
He suggested that,, the case be referred to either the CID or the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) instead.
“In the spirit of fairness or natural justice, [the case] should go straight to either CID or EOCO. Even though it has been referred [to the] OSP, I think the OSP will do himself a lot of good by rejecting it [with] the reasons that he cannot handle this particular matter, another potent state institution should handle it.”
Meanwhile, individuals who thronged the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) last Monday to watch the latest exposé of ace investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, took to social media to register their disappointment with the content of the documentary they queued to go and watch.
A popular Facebook user, ‘BigGodwin Martey’, after watching the exposé wrote the following on his page; “Anas Galamsey Documentary. Much ado about nothing! Mtheeeew, totally disappointed with this one. 10/100. Anas quality seems to be on constant decline! This is not the Anas we knew! Mtheeeew!”
Another Facebook user, Nana Ama, in registering her disappointment said as follows; “Your camera only captures some group of thieves and spare other groups of thieves. Stop being partial. Entrapment all the time. When will your camera capture all the thieves. Please come again. Half baked bread.”
She continued, “In the video the guy said “I don’t like money I’e not worked for”, then after the meeting you tell him to take money for shopping. You give him money for shopping and you say you’ve bribed him. How ?”
