Parliament has called for a thorough investigation into the controversial memorandum circulating on social media, which allegedly links Deputy Minority Leader and Asokwa MP Patricia Appiagyei to the rejection of ‘GH¢70,000 bribe.’
The memo is purported to have been authored by Patricia Appiagyei and concerns the alleged return of GH¢70,000 that was supposed be payment for the recent vetting of some ministers and Supreme Court judges.
In a statement signed by the Director of Media Relations, David Sebastian Damoah, Parliament said it has not independently verified the authenticity of the memorandum and stressed that allegations involving payments allegedly connected to the work of a parliamentary committee, particularly the Appointments Committee, require proper scrutiny.
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It also expressed concern over the possibility that the document could have been fabricated and falsely attributed to a sitting Member of Parliament.
The Legislature has consequently urged the OSP to pursue the investigation thoroughly and expeditiously, including determining whether the memorandum is authentic and whether the allegations contained in it are true.
“Parliament stands ready to extend the necessary cooperation to the Office of the Special Prosecutor and any other competent investigative authority in the lawful discharge of its mandate,” the statement said.
Parliament stressed that if investigations establish that the memorandum was fabricated or falsely attributed to Patricia Appiagyei, the matter should not end with that finding.
The appropriate investigative authorities, according to statement, should enlist the assistance of the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) and other relevant law enforcement agencies to identify those responsible for creating and circulating the alleged false document.
Where evidence supports criminal responsibility, Parliament said the persons involved should be held accountable in accordance with the law.
The institution described the deliberate fabrication and circulation of documents purporting to originate from Members of Parliament or parliamentary offices as a serious threat to the integrity and reputation of Parliament.
Parliament has meanwhile urged the public, media organisations and other stakeholders to exercise caution when sharing the memorandum or drawing conclusions from its contents.
Ddefinitive conclusions, it said, should be avoided until the authenticity of the document and the circumstances surrounding its circulation have been properly established.
It reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability and the integrity of its processes, particularly the work of the Appointments Committee.
The Speaker, it said, remains determined to ensure that the facts surrounding the GH¢70,000 memorandum are established and that appropriate action follows in accordance with the law.