Martin Amidu arrests investigator over media leaks

An investigator working at the office of the Special Prosecutor has been arrested by operatives of the Bureau of National Investigations on suspicion of providing classified information to the media, Asempanews.com has learned.

Multiple sources familiar with the matter say Inspector Yaa Boakyewaa was picked up at exactly 1: pm Friday on the strict orders of the Special Prosecutor, Martin Alamisi Amidu, who suspects the investigator has been leaking confidential information to some media houses in the country.

Inspector Yaa Boakyewaa, according to our checks, is alleged to have taken photographs of highly sensitive documents, with the intention of forwarding them to some unknown persons.

“The office of the Special Prosecutor takes confidentiality and the protection of our documents seriously and we are working with authorities on this matter and are referring all questions to the BNI,” our source said in a telephone conversation.

Report says Mr Martin Amidu has long suspected and often accused some staff members of leaking information to the press without his approval.

Asempanews.com is reliably informed that the arrest of Inspector Boakyewaa is in connection with the purported list that was published by a section of the media last week, revealing the names of certain individuals who were being investigated by the Special Prosecutor.

Background

Here is a list of 26 cases receiving attention at the Office of the Special Prosecutor published in the media last week.

It includes opposition figures as high profile as former President John Mahama and government appointees under the Akufo-Addo administration such as Board Chair of the Ghana National Petroleum Company and national chairman of the governing NPP Freddie Blay.

The Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, has so far filed one case in court among the 25 cases which have piqued his interest.

The office, which is the President’s promised solution to political graft, was created by law in 2018.

Martin Amidu is a former Attorney-General who resigned from the John Atta Mills’ administration and made a name for himself in chasing after ill-gotten funds while a lackadaisical state pussyfoots.

He was sworn in as the first Special Prosecutor on March 1, 2018, with a secured tenure which is believed, will protect the appointee from political interference which is said to have undermined the fight against corruption.

Find the full list below