The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has invited Deputy Minority Leader and Asokwa MP, Patricia Appiagyei, to assist with a preliminary investigation into an alleged GHS70,000 payment linked to the recent vetting of nominees by Parliament’s Appointments Committee.

The invitation follows a document circulating in the media which purportedly shows that Mrs Appiagyei returned GHS70,000 allegedly allocated to her as an advance from the Majority Chief Whip in connection with the vetting exercise.

The Minority, however, has denied the authenticity of the document and said neither Mrs Appiagyei nor the Caucus received or returned any such money.

This comes after ModernGhana independent checks revealed that the purported story is fake.

“Given the constitutional importance of the Appointments Committee of Parliament and the need to safeguard the integrity of the vetting process, and taking into consideration the content of the document to the effect that Hon. Patricia Appiagyei purportedly cast doubt on the source of the alleged funds and that it had the hallmarks of extortion of the nominees, the OSP has commenced preliminary investigation into the veracity of the document, the source of the alleged funds, and the purpose of the alleged funds,” the OSP said in a public notice issued on Friday, September 4.

The investigation will seek to establish whether the document is genuine, the source of the alleged funds and the purpose for which the money was purportedly allocated.

The alleged payment is linked to Parliament’s recent vetting of two ministerial nominees and three nominees to the Supreme Court.

The controversy comes amid broader concerns about allegations of monetary inducements surrounding the work of the Appointments Committee.

The OSP said it is actively investigating allegations of extortion involving Members of Parliament.

“The OSP is actively investigating all extortion allegations involving Members of Parliament,” the statement added.