Ayariga: I don't recall telling Ken Agyapong about Amidu's health condition

The Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mr Mahama Ayariga says he does not recall telling the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Mr Kennedy Agyapong about the health condition of his uncle, Mr Martin Amidu.

Likewise, he said he does not have any medical record of Mr Martin Amidu that indicates he has been to Germany for medical reasons.

In a radio interview with Accra based Citi FM Thursday evening, [November 19, 2020], Mr Ayariga said, "it is unfortunate that the issues are turning around to medical records. But I don't have any medical records of my uncle, Martin Amidu."

"I think that its unfortunate that I'm being put in the centre of this whole controversy about his [Amidu] resignation. I think we should focus on the real reasons why he has resigned and deal with it." 

• Read also: 
• AUDIO: I have never been to Germany - Amidu responds to Ken Agyapong
• Amidu reports Ayariga to EOCO for frustrating corruption probe

The Office of Special Prosecutor is in court with Mr Ayariga over the importation of some vehicles and payment of import duty.

Related: Amidu charges Ayariga for fraudulently evading tax on imported vehicles

Resignation

Martin Amidu on Monday, November 16, 2020, resigned from his position as the Special Prosecutor.

In a resignation letter to the President, Martin Amidu said: "The one condition upon which I accepted to be nominated as the Special Prosecutor when you invited me to your Office on 10th January 2018 was your firm promise to me that you will respect and ensure same by your Government for my independence and freedom of action as the Special Prosecutor."

What Ken Agyapong said

Mr Agyapong on the ‘Seat Show’ on Net 2 TV on Wednesday night [November 18, 2020] alleged that Mr Amidu has a medical problem for which reason he should not have been appointed as Special Prosecutor.

He added that during the vetting process of Martin Amidu for the SP job, Mahama Ayariga, the MP for Bawku Central wanted to raise issues about Amidu’s medical records but John Dramani Mahama, the former President advised Ayariga to refrain from that.

“Martin Amidu thinks he’s a ‘tin god’. He should bring his medical records from Germany, I dare him. Bring your medical records from Germany to determine if you’re normal,” Agyapong said in the televised broadcast.

He continued: “Ayariga was going to take him on to produce his medical records and explain why he went to Germany [but] Mahama told him to stop. ‘Don’t raise this question at the Appointment Committee’. Mahama advised them not to raise that issue [about] the medical records and it was never brought up because they knew that one [day] this will happen.”

"Ayariga was going to take him [Amidu] on, to produce his medical records and explain why he went to Germany but [John] Mahama told him to stop. Don't raise this question at the Appointments Committee [of Parliament], Mahama advised them not to raise that issue about the medical record and it was never brought up because they knew that one day this will happen," this is what Mr Agyapong said in the television interview.

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Related: Why Martin Amidu resigned as Special Prosecutor [LETTER TO PRESIDENT]

Ayariga's reaction

But reacting in the Citi FM interview, Mr Ayariga said he does not recall having any such conversation with Mr Agyapong.

Asked what he will do if he should meet Ken Agyapong on the issue, he said: "oh! I mean, errm! alright, I didn't have a conversation with you to that effect, that's all, matter ends there."

Mr Ayariga said as a family member of Mr Amidu, he has already indicated that when he picks the signal that Mr Amidu's life was in danger and feels threatened, he, as a son will always go to his aid first to protect his life before they go back to court to settle their issues.

Related: Amidu charges Ayariga for fraudulently evading tax on imported vehicles

"Let me put on record that I don't have any medical records of him being sent to Germany for treatment."

"I don't recall having discussions with Hon. Kennedy in which I made reservations about medical condition and treatment in Germany etc. And so I will say, I should be left out of the conversation, I'm in court and today I was in court...and I'm fighting my matter in court.

"Infact John [Mahama] never spoke to us in terms of any medical records. Indeed former President John Dramani Mahama... when the issue of Martin Amidu came up gave us the clearance that we could go ahead and approve him to be the Special Prosecutor."

He said he [Ayariga] himself has constitutional issues with the Office of Special Prosecutor itself and that has got nothing to do with whoever is occupying the post.

Writer's email: enoch.frimpong@graphic.com.gh