The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has presented its report on an investigation into alleged attempted bribery of members of the majority caucus of the Parliament of Ghana.
Per the report released by the OSP, the MPs refused to cooperate with the investigations.
Therefore, in the context of the case, based on the gathered intelligence of the OSP and its investigation of the activities of its identified suspect, [name withheld – Mr. XXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXX, are not sufficient to sustain criminal charges.
The Special Prosecutor has therefore directed the closure of the investigation in respect of allegations that a well-known and wealthy businessman attempted to bribe a section of the majority caucus of Parliament.
It said the Special Prosecutor determines that the institution of criminal proceedings, at this time, against the OSP’s identified suspect would serve no useful purpose.
It however added that the investigation may be re-opened should the circumstances and further facts so dictate.
The OSP explained that the institution of criminal proceedings would of necessity require the input and testimony of the accuser.
This is because, the meeting occurred between the accuser and his undisclosed colleagues and the suspect and whatever transpired therein is known only to the accuser and his undisclosed colleagues and the suspect. The events must be recounted by the attendees of the meeting if criminal charges are to be sustained.
This is even more so as, naturally, it appears there is no record of the meeting.
The OSP per the report gathered intelligence that a wealthy businessman did in fact attempted to offer money to a section of the majority caucus of Parliament with the intention of influencing their demand for the resignation or removal of Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta as Minister for Finance.
“It also appears that the monetary offer was rejected by the contacted Members of Parliament.”
“The OSP is almost convinced that Mr. XXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXX is the businessman who attempted to offer to a section of the majority caucus of Parliament with the intention of influencing their demand for the resignation or removal of Mr. Ofori-Atta as Minister for Finance,” the report stated.
