Deputy Speaker backs Martin Amidu, amidst lawsuit from NDC

pulse-ghana admin

February 13, 2018 12:24 AM

The opposition NDC has prayed the Supreme Court to halt the nomination of 66-year-old Mr. Amidu because he is gone past the retirement age for public office holders

The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joe Osei Owusu, has strongly refuted claims that

President Akufo-Addo nominated Mr. Amidu for the position of Special Prosecutor last month on the recommendation of the Attorney-General, Gloria Akuffo.

However, Mr. Amidu’s qualifications have been doubted by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), with the party pointing to his age as a ground for disqualification.

On Tuesday a lawsuit was filed by the NDC – led by former Attorney-General Dr. Dominic Ayine – praying the Supreme Court to halt the nomination because 66-year-old Mr. Amidu is gone past the retirement age for public office holders.

However, the first Deputy Speaker of Parliament believes age does not matter when it comes to such an appointment.

According to him, the Special Prosecutor’s job is by “contract”, making it open to all persons irrespective of age.

Speaking in an interview with Accra-based Starr FM, Mr. Owusu, who also doubles as the Appointments Committee Chairman of Parliament, said the NDC have no case with their suit.

“This one is a specific contract and you are recruited for a specific term and it doesn’t matter your age. The president knew and considered his age…ofcourse nobody can tell where sickness or death will come from…but so long as he has strength and the proper state of mind, he has the seven years to serve,” he said

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