MP questions case on Amoateng

Accra, Nov. 17, GNA - Mr Alfred Agbesi, NDC-Ashaiman, has expressed worry about the status of the cocaine case involving Mr Eric Amoateng, NPP member for Nkoranza North, currently being tried in the United States for narcotic offences.

He said Parliament had not been updated regularly on the case as recommended by a Committee of Parliament.

The Member raised his concerns on the floor of the House before the commencement of public business on Friday. He said: "This House has not been informed about decisions in and out of court."

Mr Agbesi said Parliament in March 2006 referred Amoateng's case to the Privileges Committee after the MP was arrested and the Committee had come up with a number of recommendations, which had not been implemented.

He said among the recommendations was that Parliament should task the Foreign Affairs Ministry through the Ghana Mission in the US to regularly update and provide Parliament with information about the ongoing trial.

Mr Agbesi said since the Committee made the recommendation some eight months ago the House had not been briefed about ongoing development in the trials.

The Speaker, Mr Ebenezer Sekyi Hughes, in his ruling, said Mr Agbesi should take the matter up with the Leadership of the House and if his concerns were not addressed he should return to the House for the consideration of the matter.