Martin Amidu unanimously approved as Special Prosecutor

Special Prosecutor nominee Martin Amidu has received an overwhelming endorsement from Parliament’s Appointments Committee, Myjoyonline.com has learnt.
In a crucial make or break meeting minutes after the nine-hour-long vetting Tuesday, all the members of the Committee unanimously backed the former Attorney-General’s approval as the first Special Prosecutor.
Confirming the decision on Joy FM, Deputy Majority Whip, Mathew Nyindam said it will be inconceivable for anyone to oppose Mr Amidu’s nomination.
The lawmaker said the anti-corruption campaigner left an unerasable impression in the minds of Ghanaians with his answers during the vetting.
“But anyone who is corrupt should start revising his note [after Martin Amidu’s approval],” Mr Nyindam said.
The card-bearing member of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has assured Ghanaians he will be impartial in the discharge of his duties if approved as Special Prosecutor.
Contrary to claims by critics that he will be vindictive, Mr Amidu said he is more interested in reducing corruption than jailing more people.
“My success will not be measured by the number of people in jail but the integrity of institution I will leave behind,” he said.
Mr Amidu said Ghana will be the ultimate beneficiary if the Office of the Special Prosecutor is able to work to reduce corruption as it is being done by the US Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).
But the vetting saw heated exchanges the anti-corruption campaigner and some Minority members on the Committee especially when portions of articles he wrote before his nomination were read to him.
Mr Amidu had described the past NDC government as a “looter” regime, a description he explained to the Committee was used based on “perception.”
The Minority members on the Appointments Committee pointed to comments the former A-G had made to “disparage” the party he belongs.
But in a response that drew laughter from the gathering, Mr Amidu said he would have adduced evidence to back his claims if he had been challenged by the people affected by his comments.
Despite fears that the Minority will oppose his nomination, the anti-corruption campaigner has secured the pass to be the first Special Prosecutor for a seven-year term.
The Appointments Committee decision is expected to be debated by the plenary session of Parliament on Thursday followed by his swearing-in on Friday.
Re-echoing the president’s statement, the Deputy Majority Whip said Mr Amidu will help to put the “fear of God” in Ghanaians who enrich themselves through corruption.
Watch the video below: