The Appointments Committee of Parliament has announced that the vetting of nominee for the position of Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, will take place on Thursday, July 22.
In a press statement dated July 12, the Committee stated that the vetting will take place at Committee rooms 1,2, and 3 of the New Administration Block of Parliament at 10:00 am.
According to the statement, the public hearing of Mr Agyebeng is, “to consider the nomination by his Excellency the President of the republic, for the appointment of the Special Prosecutor.”
On November 16, 2020, President Akufo-Addo accepted the resignation from office, of Martin Amidu, as Special Prosecutor.
Under section 13(8) of the Office of Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959), the President is required to appoint a replacement within six months of the position becoming vacant.
Subsequently, the Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, on April 16, 2021, nominated Mr Agyebeng, under section 13(3) of Act 959, to the President for consideration as the second occupant of the Office of Special Prosecutor.
Kissi Agyebeng’s nomination was greeted with criticism. He was considered by some, as unfit for the office.
According to Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Murtala Mohammed, the nominee’s relationship with some bigwigs in the incumbent administration, will create a conflict of interest and subsequently rob Mr Agyebeng of the ability to go after people close to him, who have engaged in any wrongdoing, if given the nod.
But President Akufo-Addo deems Mr Kissi Agyebeng as eminently qualified to become Special Prosecutor. This is because, he was called to the Bar in October 2003, holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of Ghana and Master of Laws (LLM) degree from Dalhousie University and Cornell Law School. He is a Criminal Law lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of Ghana, Legon, and also engaged in private law practice.
source: My Joy Online
