Appiah-Kubi withholds businessman’s identity, emphasizes commitment to MPs integrity

Kwame Andy Appiah-Kubi, the Member of Parliament for Asante Akim North, has affirmed his commitment to keeping the identity of a businessman, whom he accused of attempting to bribe lawmakers, confidential. Appiah-Kubi stated that his intention in publicly addressing the alleged bribery attempt was to convey a resolute message that legislators cannot be influenced by financial inducements.

During an appearance on the Key Points on TV3 on Saturday, January 6, Appiah-Kubi disclosed that he had promised the businessman not to reveal his identity. He also criticized the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), claiming that their interrogation methods lacked ethical considerations.

Appiah-Kubi highlighted the unprofessional conduct of OSP officials during the investigation, expressing dissatisfaction with their confrontational approach. He specifically mentioned an incident where he was asked to listen to an interview he had given to Joy FM, considering it an unethical demand.

“The OSP officials did not understand the ethics of the profession, that you need to show courtesy to everyone who comes before you,” he remarked, emphasizing the importance of professionalism in such proceedings.

Appiah-Kubi further criticized the OSP’s handling of the investigation, pointing out that the Special Prosecutor directed the closure of the inquiry into the bribery allegations. The lawmaker had previously accused 80 Members of Parliament from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of receiving bribes from an unnamed businessman to withdraw their demand for the resignation of Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.

The Special Prosecutor, Mr. Kissi Agyebeng, justified the decision to close the investigation, citing the lack of meaningful outcomes at the time. He stated that the investigation could be reopened if circumstances and additional facts warranted such action, based on regulation 31(1)(g) of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (Operations) Regulations, 2018 (L.I. 2374).

The controversy arose when Appiah-Kubi alleged that a wealthy businessman sought to bribe him and 79 other NPP MPs to abandon their push for the removal of Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta from office.