I have not been invited by OSP over fake GH¢70,000 memo — Patricia Appiagyei

Deputy Minority Leader of Parliament and member of the Appointments Committee, Patricia Appiagyei, has expressed her willingness to cooperate with the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) over investigations into a purported memo allegedly linked to her and involving GH¢70,000.

Mrs Appiagyei said although the OSP had not yet contacted her, she would honour any invitation from the anti-corruption agency and assist with its inquiry.

"I have not been contacted by the OSP...Why not? It is a state institution. I cannot do otherwise," she said in an interview with Accra-based Joy FM on Friday, September 4.

Her comments followed a statement by the OSP inviting her to assist with a preliminary investigation into the authenticity of the purported memo and allegations surrounding the GH¢70,000 allegedly allocated to her in connection with the vetting of ministerial and Supreme Court nominees.

The OSP said it had taken notice of the document circulating in the media and had commenced preliminary investigations into its authenticity, the source of the alleged funds and the purpose for which the money was purportedly provided.

The anti-corruption agency said the contents of the document raised concerns because it allegedly suggested that Mrs Appiagyei had questioned the source of the money and believed it had "that it had the hallmarks of extortion of the nominees."

"Given the constitutional importance of the Appointments Committee of Parliament and the need to safeguard the integrity of the vetting process, and 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 preliminary investigation into the veracity of the document, the source of the alleged funds, and the purpose of the alleged funds.

"To this effect, the OSP has dispatched a communication inviting Hon. Patricia Appiagyei to attend the OSP and assist it with the preliminary investigation," the OSP noted.

The purported memo, allegedly addressed by Mrs Appiagyei to Minority Chief Whip and Nsawam/Adoagyiri MP, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, claims that the Asokwa MP returned the GH¢70,000 after raising questions about its source and purpose.

The document further alleges that the money was advanced by the Majority Chief Whip in connection with the Appointments Committee’s vetting of 2 ministerial nominees and 3 nominees to the Supreme Court.

Mrs Appiagyei, however, has denied authoring the document and described it as fake.

"I find it strange this memo is purported to have been written by me. It is fake," she said on Joy FM on September 4.

When asked whether the signature appearing on the document resembled hers, she expressed concern about the ease with which signatures could be reproduced or digitally manipulated.

"As for signatures, these days, people can easily scan and use. That is why we are not too safe about these things."

Asked further about the resemblance, Mrs Appiagyei said, "it looks close though."

She added that she was preparing an official response to the controversy.

"I am working on a statement, and it will be released soon."