The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has commenced a preliminary investigation into an alleged GH¢70,000 payment reportedly linked to Parliament’s Appointments Committee vetting process, even as Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei vehemently denies any involvement and describes the circulating memorandum as entirely fabricated.
The controversy erupted after a purported memorandum dated September 2, 2026, allegedly authored by the Asokwa MP and addressed to Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, began circulating on social media. The document claimed that Mrs Appiagyei had returned GH¢70,000 which was purportedly advanced to her by the Majority Chief Whip in connection with the vetting of two ministerial nominees and three Supreme Court nominees.
OSP Takes Action
In a public notice issued on September 4, the OSP stated that it is investigating the authenticity of the document, the source of the alleged funds, and their intended purpose. The office noted that the content of the purported memorandum raised concerns about “the source of the money and possible 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,” the OSP said it considered it necessary to investigate the matter. The office has formally invited Mrs Appiagyei to appear and assist with the preliminary investigation.
Appiagyei Denies Knowledge
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Friday, Mrs Appiagyei dismissed the document, stating: “I don’t know anything about the memo. It was absolutely news to me. I didn’t know what was happening but because of the funeral, I didn’t pay much attention to it.”
In a formal statement, she categorically denied authorship: “I did not write, authorise, or circulate this document. It is fake and should be disregarded by all.”
The Deputy Minority Leader also maintained that she received no such payment: “I state expressly and without qualification that I did not receive any payment of GH¢70,000, or any other sum, from any person in connection with the vetting of ministerial or Supreme Court nominees, or in connection with my duties as a member of the Appointments Committee.”
She explained that she was attending a friend’s funeral when her attention was first drawn to the document, and initially believed marking it as “FAKE” would be sufficient to address the matter until it gained widespread media attention.
Minority Caucus Weighs In
Second Deputy Minority Whip Jerry Ahmed Shaib has also dismissed the claims, telling Citi News: “She has confirmed that she has no idea where the letter emanated from or who authored it.”
Mr Ahmed said checks conducted on the Majority side of Parliament indicated that neither the letter nor the alleged payment originated from them.
Background and Context
The controversy comes against the backdrop of the Minority Caucus’s decision to boycott the August 27 vetting of three Supreme Court nominees, citing concerns over the process. The purported memo had linked the alleged payment to this boycott.
Mrs Appiagyei, a veteran politician and the first female Mayor of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, has served as MP for Asokwa since 2012 and was appointed Deputy Majority Leader in February 2024 before becoming Deputy Minority Leader.
Political Implications
The Deputy Minority Leader alleged that “some faceless individuals are up to some mischief to sow seeds of discord in our Caucus but this will fail.” She assured supporters that the Minority Caucus remains united behind the party’s flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, ahead of the 2028 general election.
Mrs Appiagyei has disclosed that she is seeking legal advice on possible action against those responsible for fabricating and circulating the document.
The OSP has confirmed it is “actively investigating all extortion allegations involving Members of Parliament,” while the authenticity and origin of the document are expected to become central to the ongoing preliminary investigation.
