Court throws out 3 charges of Martin Amidu against Ayariga

By:brightwebtv.com/nana asare barimah

An Accra High Court presided over by Justice Efia Serwa Botwe has struck out three out of the four charges preferred against Member of Parliament (MP) for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga by Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu.

Lawyers for Ayariga had prayed to the court to strike out the charge sheets on two principal grounds in respect of the car loan issue

These included the capacity of Martin Amidu to prosecute on age qualification as the Special Prosecutor and the counts involving tax evasion and dealing foreign currency without authorization.

But the trial judge on Monday June 17, 2019ruled that any pronouncement on his qualification to hold office as Special Prosecutor would amount to injuncting a public officer and that he is the de facto Special Prosecutor. That since there is a matter already in the Supreme Court, she will decline the invitation, and hence he is competent to sign the charge sheet.

On ground of striking out the charges, the court struck out the charges of fraudulent evasion of tax, fraudulent evasion of customs duties and dealing in foreign currency without license filed.

The court ruled that, these offences are not within the mandate or remit of the Special Prosecutor since it makes no reference to corruption related issues.

However, the charge of use of public office for private gain stands.

Source:MyNewsGh.com