MP’s alleged offences must be investigated despite arrest controversy – NDC Communicator
Victor Anedam says the controversy over the attempted arrest should not prevent authorities from examining the allegations against the Manhyia South MP.
A Chiana-Paga National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communications Team member, Victor Ask-Nankong Kaba Anedam, says the controversy surrounding the attempted arrest of the Manhyia South Member of Parliament should not overshadow the allegations the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) is seeking to investigate.
According to Anedam, while concerns may be raised about the conduct of the EOCO official during the attempted arrest, the MP should answer questions relating to the investigation if authorities have grounds to do so.
Speaking on the Big Mike Breakfast Show on Friday, September 25, Anedam said the investigation reportedly relates to a debt-recovery case handled by the MP in his capacity as a lawyer.
He said the issues reportedly include the recovery of a lower amount than the sum stated in the original judgment, legal fees allegedly charged in connection with the recovery, and questions surrounding the authenticity of a signature on a document.
“Shouldn’t we be interested in getting answers from the lawyer who represented the company and instead of recovering 14 million Ghana cedis, recovered only 8 million Ghana cedis and even took more than half of that as his legal fees?” Anedam asked.
He said, in his view, EOCO’s invitation was intended to give the MP an opportunity to provide clarification on the issues forming part of the investigation.
Anedam, however, acknowledged that the EOCO official involved in the attempted arrest should have properly identified herself before taking steps to effect the arrest.
He nevertheless argued that where a person resists an arrest, law enforcement officers may take appropriate steps to enforce the arrest in accordance with the law.
He maintained that the circumstances surrounding the allegations should not be overshadowed by the controversy over how the attempted arrest was conducted.
Anedam also rejected suggestions that the incident was necessarily intended to divert public attention from the ongoing debate over drug trafficking.
He said focusing heavily on the political interpretations of the incident could shift attention away from the substantive allegations that authorities are seeking to investigate.
Anedam therefore called for the investigation to be allowed to proceed, stressing that the MP, like any person facing allegations, should be given the opportunity to respond to the issues raised by investigators.
Mike 105.3FM | Navrongo | Elizabeth Apusaama
