Kissi Agyabeng Torpedoes Amidu’s Tax Evasion Case Against Ayariga -Files Nolle Prosequi

The new Special Prosecutor (SP), Kissi Agyebeng slapped his predecessor Martin A.B.K Amidu on the face by discontinuing a suit Amidu had brought against the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga.

The New SP has filed a nolle prosequi in court, saying Amidu’s allegation against Ayariga lacked evidence, in what eerily re-echoes warnings issued a few years ago by the Assin North’s MP, Ken Agyapong, who had described Kissi Agyabeng as a “criminal lawyer” who loves to defend criminals.

Martin Amidu had accused Ayariga 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.

Mr. Ayariga 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”.

But Kissi Agyabeng’s very first duty as SP was to torpedo Amidu’s top priority suit.

According to the Special Prosecutor, his outfit wants to discontinue the case because it has been unable to gather enough evidence to prosecute the MP.

“We wish to inform the court of the Republic’s intention to enter Nolle prosequi in respect of all cases against the accused persons,” the Special Prosecutor told the court.

The High Court in May 2021 acquitted and discharged the Bawku Central MP in the matter of the purchase of an ambulance for the Bawku Municipal Assembly.

Tried together with six others, the court presided over by Justice Afia Serwaa Botwe, acquitted and discharged them upon a no-case submission by the lawyers for the accused persons. But Amidu was not satisfied with the turn of events, insisting that he had a strong basis for dragging Ayariga through the mud for his alleged corrupt activities.

 The Special Prosecutor brought two different cases against Mr. Ayariga; one involving the lawmaker’s use of a parliamentary loan approved for the purchase of a V8 vehicle for official use, and the other over an ambulance he purchased for the Bawku Municipal Assembly.

In the second case, Mr. Ayariga was standing trial together with six (6) others; Hajia Hawa Ninchema, Sumaila Ewuntomah Abudu, Alex Vadze, Alhaji Abdul-Mumuni Jesewunde, Mary Stella Adapesa and Mumuni Yakubu Nambe.