A former Special Prosecutor, Martin A. B. K. Amidu, has firmly rejected a demand from the Office of the Speaker of Parliament to retract his recent statements and issue an unreserved apology within seven days.
This situation emerged after a statement released on May 28, 2024, by the Speaker’s Communications Unit, signed by Peter Bamfo, requested an apology from Martin Amidu.
In his response, Amidu argued that the statement addressed to the media does not qualify as a rejoinder to his publication dated May 26, 2024.
He insisted that he stands by his assertions and has no plans to retract or apologize for his statements.
Mr Amidu criticized Speaker Alban Bagbin for allegedly misusing public funds by seeking medical treatment in Dubai for conditions he believes could be managed within Ghana.
“I have read a statement from the Office of the Speaker of Parliament with reference number OP/SPK/K1/33 dated 28 May 2024 signed by one Peter Bamfo (Head-Speaker’s Communications Unit) “To All Media Houses” in which the “Speaker requests Mr. Amidu to do the honorable thing and withdraw his statement and apologize unreservedly to the Speaker of Parliament…within seven days from the date of the release of this rejoinder.
“First and foremost, the statement addressed to all media houses cannot be termed a rejoinder to my publication dated 26 May 2024. Secondly, I have done nothing for which I need to withdraw, retract, and apologize for within seven days to Mr. Bagbin who is dissipating the public purse needlessly in Dubai for health challenges which are treatable or manageable in Ghana,” he said.
Mr Amidu also raised concerns about an alleged meeting between Speaker Bagbin and President Akufo-Addo in Dubai, which he claimed influenced parliamentary proceedings regarding the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government.