Martin Amidu
Special Prosecutor nominee, Martin Amidu has been dragged to the Supreme Court for over being aged as required of a Public Office holder.
According to a writ filed Lawyer Tony Lithur at the Supreme Court on the behalf of former Deputy Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine, the Special prosecutor nominee is 66 years contrary to the age limit for Public office holders.
The anti-corruption campaigner and former Attorney-General was nominated by president Nana Akufo-Addo but first has to be vetted and approved by Parliament in line with the Special Prosecutor Act (Act 959).
He is set to appear before the Appointments Committee to consider his nomination tomorrow.
Mr. Amidu who is a member of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), nomination was extolled as a bold step to fighting corruption in the country.
In a statement Monday, Mr Amidu said he will have nothing to win or lose if the lawmakers decide to shoot down his nomination or approve him. There are only two outcomes possible after the public hearing – to approve or disapprove the president’s nominee. “Whatever the outcome, I will have nothing personally to win in or lose,” he said.
Former Deputy Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine claimed Martin Amidu’s age is beyond the statutory age of employment into public service and is seeking order of the court to have his nomination annulled.
The suit at the Supreme Court could destroy the Parliamentary vetting and subsequent approval of the Special Prosecutor nominee Martin Amidu.
In the event Parliament proceeds with the vetting and approves same, Ayine wants the court to go ahead and annul the approval of Martin Amidu.
In a statement of case, Ayine is praying the court to declare that “by true and proper interpretation of Articles 190(1) (d) and 199 (4) of the 1992 Constitution, no person above the age of 65 years is eligible for employment in any public office created under Article 190(1) (d).”
The suit comes in less than 24 hours to the much-anticipated vetting of Martin Amidu by the Appointment Committee of Parliament.
Get the full writ
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