Ayariga free as SP drops ‘Martin Amidu’ procurement case; says ‘it’ll be waste of time’
Mahama Ayariga (L) and his lawyer Godwin Edudzi Tameklo (R)
Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng has dropped the case involving Bawku Central MP Mahama Ayariga, saying it will be a waste of the state’s time.
“It will be a complete waste of time if we were to open this case further and go to a length where it will only be dismissed on the submission of no case to answer,” Mr Agyebeng told journalists at the court on Monday, 11 October 2021.
Mr Agyebeng’s predecessor, Mr Martin Amidu, initiated charges against the National Democratic Congress MP and six others for breaching procurement processes in purchasing some ambulances for his constituency and evading tax in the importation of some “luxurious” vehicles.
The lawmaker was accused of fraudulently evading customs duties and taxes by paying GH¢6,062.86 instead of the approved duties and taxes of GH¢36,597.15 to clear three Toyota V8 Land Cruisers.
He was also accused of abusing his office as a public officer for his private benefit by “selling three Toyota V8 Land Cruisers which was to be used for official duties as a Member of Parliament to Kendrick Akwasi Marfo of ATLAS-Rent-A-Car at a price of GH¢40,000 each”.
Mr Agyebeng, however, said he has filed “a nolle prosequi, which is to say: ‘We have ended the case this morning’.”
Mr Agyebeng said: “As it stands, there’s no charge against Mr Mahama Ayariga”.
On Friday, 7 May 2021, an Accra High Court presided over by Justice Afia Serwah Asare–Botwe acquitted and discharged Mr Ayariga and the six others after it upheld a submission of no case filed by the defence lawyers.
The accused persons were represented by Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe.