Justify Amidu’s appointment as Special Prosecutor – Supreme Court to AG

The Supreme Court has asked the Attorney General’s office to within three weeks file legal arguments justifying the appointment of Martin Amidu as Special Prosecutor.

The Supreme Court also gave the lawyers for the applicant, Dr.  Dominic Ayine, 3 weeks to legally justify their case.

The case was filed at the Supreme Court by Former Deputy Attorney, General Dominic Ayine who is challenging the eligibility of Martin Amidu to hold such a position.

Dr. Dominic Ayine wants the appointment annulled since, Mr. Amidu has exceeded the mandatory retirement age.

The filing of legal arguments is expected to pave the way for a date to be set for judgment on the case.

The court earlier this year struck out Mr. Martin Amidu as a defendant in the case saying he ought to be defended by the Attorney General’s department.

According to the court, Mr Amidu was not a proper party to the case as the position in question is one which falls under Article 88 of the Constitution.

‘Martin Amidu too old to be Special Prosecutor’

Dr. Ayine in his suit argued that by a true and proper interpretation of Articles 190(1)(d), 199(1), 199(4), and 295 of the 1992 Constitution, the retirement age of all holders of public offices created pursuant to Article 190 (1)(d) is sixty (60) years, anyhow not beyond sixty-five (65) years.

He further argued that by reason of Mr Amidu’s age (66 years at the time of his appointment), he is not qualified or eligible to be nominated as the Special Prosecutor under section 13(3) of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2018 (Act 959).