Establish corruption courts to help Martin Amidu – MP

Member of Parliament for Offinso South in the Ashanti Region, Ben Abdallah Banda, has suggested the establishment of a special court to help expedite prosecution of corruption cases in the country.

Such special court, he noted, would be given the mandate to hear only corruption related cases from the newly created anti-graft institution, Office of the Special Prosecutor.

“When you go to Attorney General’s office for instance, there are a lot of cases that they must prosecute, and sometimes the delay is from the prosecutor because of the enormity of cases. That’s why since the Special Prosecutor office is unique; there is a suggestion that a special court that will deal with corruption and corruption related issues should be established,” he said.

Mr. Banda who is the Chairperson for Parliamentary Select Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary said this when he appeared on Onua FM’s morning show on Monday.

He observed issues relating to corruption were bane to development of any country, stressing it is important as a country to do all it can to either reduce corruption to the barest minimum or end it.

“One of the ways to do this is to fully equip the Independent Prosecutor so as to fast track prosecution” he told Bright Kwesi Asempa on Onua FM morning show

President Nana AddoDankwa Akufo-Addo last week sworn into office Mr. Martin Alamisi Amidu as the Special Prosecutor following his approval by parliament.

The President urged him to discharge his duties vigorously, with courage, without fear or favour, ill-will or malice and in accordance with the rule of law.

But Mr. Banda believes Mr. Amidu and his Office will function as expected if there are availability of logistics and human resources.

“When someone is sent to court for corruption related issues, there are anxieties and suspense, so if we have this court maned by judges, judgement will be quick because the prosecutors and the judges will have time to concentrate on the corruption cases,” he argued.

I will plead with the Chief Justice to commune with the executive so that we have this special court set up for speedy trial of cases and also the Independent Prosecutor will have the courage to do his work devoid of partisan politics because Ghanaians have high expectation in that office, Ben Abdallah said.