Minority Whip denies GH¢70,000 refund claim involving Patricia Appiagyei

Second Deputy Minority Whip Jerry Ahmed Shaib has dismissed claims that Deputy Minority Leader and Asokwa MP Patricia Appiagyei returned GH¢70,000 allegedly given to her in connection with the vetting of ministers and Supreme Court nominees.

Speaking to Citi News, Mr Ahmed described a letter circulating on social media in Mrs Appiagyei’s name as fake, saying she had confirmed that she did not know its origin or authorship.

“She has confirmed that she has no idea where the letter emanated from or who authored it,” Mr Ahmed said.

The purported letter claimed that Mrs Appiagyei had returned GH¢70,000 because she was unaware of the source of the money and did not want to personally benefit from the vetting of government officials and Supreme Court nominees.

It also reportedly referred to the Minority’s decision not to participate in the vetting of three Supreme Court nominees, citing concerns about the process.

Mr Ahmed said checks conducted with officials on the Majority side of Parliament also indicated that no such letter or payment had originated from them.

The development adds to the controversy surrounding allegations of financial allocations to members of Parliament’s Appointments Committee in connection with the vetting of presidential nominees.

The purported letter had triggered public debate over whether MPs should receive money in relation to their duties on the Appointments Committee.

However, the Minority’s latest position is that the document circulating in Mrs Appiagyei’s name is not authentic, with questions remaining over who produced and circulated it.

The controversy comes as Parliament faces increased scrutiny over the operations of the Appointments Committee and allegations concerning financial arrangements linked to the vetting of presidential nominees.