Martin Amidu

Last updated
Hon.
Martin A. B. K. Amidu
21st Attorney General and Minister for Justice
In office
Jan 2011 Jan 2012
Website www.martinamidu.com

Martin Alamisi Burnes Kaiser Amidu is a Ghanaian politician and lawyer who served as Attorney General and Minister for Justice in Ghana from 2011 to 2012 and then as the First Special Prosecutor of the country from 2018 until his resignation in 2020, citing political interference by the President, Nana Akufo-Addo. [1] [2] [3] He is also known for introducing the word ‘gargantuan‘, into the body politics of Ghana, when he opened investigations in the Woyome scandal which was one of the highest profiled corruption cases at the time. [4] [5] On 11 January 2018, Martin A.B.K Amidu was named by the President of Ghana as the Special Prosecutor for the newly created Office of the Special Prosecutor. [6] [7] Nana Akufo-Addo touted his anti-corruption fights as Attorney General and a private citizen as reasons for choosing Mr. Amidu, his one-time political adversary. [8]

Contents

Deputy Attorney-General

Amidu served as the Deputy Attorney-General for about the last 4 years as the Special Prosecutor. Amidu is a member of the National Democratic Congress(NDC) After civilian rule was established in the Fourth Republic in January 1993, he continued to serve in the government of Jerry Rawlings as Deputy Attorney-General. [9] This he did for both terms, lasting eight years until January 2001. [10] [11]

December 2000 presidential election

In the December 2000 presidential elections, he stood as the running mate of John Atta Mills. [12] [13] They both lost to President John Kufuor that year. [14] [15]

Mills government

Minister for Interior

In January 2010, following a cabinet reshuffle, President Mills replaced Cletus Avoka with Amidu, as the Minister for Interior. [16] [17] As Amidu is a Builsa, some people raised questions as to his neutrality in dealing with the Bawku conflict. [18] He however went successfully through vetting by the Parliament of Ghana and assumed his post. [19] [20]

Attorney General

Following the second major cabinet reshuffle by President Mills, Amidu became the Attorney General and Minister for Justice of Ghana. [21] [22]

Removal from Office

Martin Amidu was relieved of his post on Thursday, January 19, 2012, by President John Evans Atta Mills under circumstances described by aids as 'his misconduct' at a meeting chaired by the president at the Castle on January 18, 2012. [23] [24] He made allegations related to alleged financial impropriety on the part of another cabinet minister, allegations he was asked by the president to substantiate. Martin Amidu, the former Attorney General single-handedly challenged the legality of the payments after being relieved off his post at the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court in 2014 ordered Mr. Woyome to pay back the money as Supreme Court judges unanimously granted the Attorney-General clearance to execute the court's judgment, ordering Mr. Woyome to refund the cash to the state. Following the delays in retrieving the money, Mr. Amidu in 2016, filed an application at the Supreme Court seeking to examine Alfred Woyome, on how he would pay back the money, after the Attorney General's office under the Mahama Administration, led by the former Minister for Justice, Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong, discontinued a similar application. In February 2017 however, Mr. Amidu withdrew his suit seeking an oral examination, explaining that the change of government under the New Patriotic Party under His Excellency the President, Nana Addo Dankwah Akuffo Addo and his Attorney General, Miss Gloria Akuffo's assurance to retrieve all judgment debts wrongfully paid to individuals. Mr. Woyome in response prayed the Supreme Court to stay proceedings on the oral examination since he had filed for a review on the case. His lawyer, Ken Anku, argued that, his client will face an irreparable damage if the oral examination is allowed to take place but the deputy Attorney General, Godfred Dame, opposed the application. [25] [26] [27]


Special Prosecutor

He was Ghana's first Special prosecutor nominated for parliament's approval. The nomination was announced by the President of Ghana Nana Akufo-Addo on January 11, 2018. [28] Martin A.B.K. Amidu was sworn into office on Friday, February 23, 2018, by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the Flagstaff House. [29] [30]

Amidu at the swearing in ceremony thanked the Attorney General and the President for appointing him, and promised to fight corruption in the country without fear or favour. [31]

Martin A. B. K. Amidu Resigns as a Special Prosecutor

Mr. Martin A. B. K. Amidu announced his resignation as a special Prosecutor on the 16 of November, 2020. Mr Amidu cited political interference by his appointer, President Nana Akufo-Addo for his decision. [32] He said in a letter to the President that his (Akufo-Addo's) reaction and meddling in an investigation he was carrying out "convinces me beyond every reasonable doubt that you had laboured under the mistaken belief that I could hold the Office of Special Prosecutor as poodle”. He added that he was resigning because of “the lack of respect of the independence of his office.” He added that, the reaction received from the presidency in respect of the analysis of the risk of corruption and anti-corruption assessment of the Agyapa Royalties limited transaction, was the final push that led him to resign. He indicated that his decision is to enable Akufo-Addo “to take steps to appoint a replacement to that position as required by law.” [33] [34] [35]

He resigned as the Special prosecutor on 16 November 2020. [36] [37]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Mahama</span> President of Ghana from 2012 to 2017

John Dramani Mahama is a Ghanaian politician who served as President of Ghana from 24 July 2012 to 7 January 2017. He previously served as Vice President of Ghana from January 2009 to July 2012, and took office as president on 24 July 2012, following the death of his predecessor, John Evans Fiifi Attah Mills.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sophia Akuffo</span> Ghanaian judge (born 1949)

Sophia Abena Boafoa Akuffo was the Chief Justice of Ghana from 19 June 2017 until 20 December 2019. She had been a Judge in the Supreme Court of Ghana since 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nana Akufo-Addo</span> President of Ghana since 2017

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is a Ghanaian politician who has served as the president of Ghana since 2017. He previously served as Attorney General from 2001 to 2003 and as Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2003 to 2007 under the Kufuor-led administration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corruption in Ghana</span>

Political corruption in Ghana has been common since independence. Since 2017, Ghana's score on Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index has improved slightly from its low point that year, a score of 40 on a scale from 0 to 100. Ghana's score rose to 43 by 2020 and has remained there until the present, 2023. When ranked by score among the 180 countries in the 2023 Index, Ghana ranked 70th, where the country ranked first is perceived to have the most honest public sector. For comparison with worldwide scores, the best score was 90, the average score was 43, and the worst score was 11. For comparison with regional scores, the average score among sub-Saharan African countries was 33. The highest score in sub-Saharan Africa was 71 and the lowest score was 11.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mahamudu Bawumia</span> Vice-President of Ghana

Mahamudu Bawumia is a Ghanaian and former central banker who serves as the 5th Vice President of Ghana in the 4th Ghanaian Republic. He assumed office on 7 January 2017 as Vice President of Ghana. Bawumia is the New Patriotic Party Nominee in the 2024 general election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minister for the Interior (Ghana)</span>

The Minister for the Interior is the Ghanaian government official responsible for the Ministry of Interior. He is thus responsible for internal security and law and order in Ghana. The most recent person in this position is Hon.Ambrose Dery. The position has also been known as Minister for Internal Affairs in the past.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Attorney General of Ghana</span>

The Attorney General of Ghana is the chief legal advisor to the Ghanaian government. The attorney general is also responsible for the Ministry of Justice. The Attorney General also serves as a member of the General Legal Council which regulates legal practice in Ghana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kwaku Agyemang-Manu</span> Ghanaian politician

Kwaku Agyemang-Manu a Ghanaian politician. He is the Member of Parliament for Dormaa Central and was Ghana's Minister of Health between January 2017 and February 2024. He is a Chartered Management Accountant and obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Statistics from the University of Ghana in 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Owusu Afriyie Akoto</span> Ghanaian agricultural economist and politician

Owusu Afriyie Akoto is a Ghanaian agricultural economist and politician. He is a member of the New Patriotic Party and was a Member of Parliament for the Kwadaso Constituency from 2009 to 2017. He was a cabinet minister in the Nana Akufo-Addo administration and served as Minister of Food and Agriculture of Ghana. He resigned on 10 January 2023 to focus on his presidential ambition. He holds MSc and PHD Degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Cambridge, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samuel Atta Akyea</span> Ghanaian lawyer and politician

Samuel Atta Akyea is a Ghanaian lawyer, politician and a member of the New Patriotic Party. He was the Minister for Works and Housing from 2017 until January 2021. He is the Member of Parliament of Akim Abuakwa South constituency in the Eastern Region. He is the second person aside Nana Akufo-Addo to be elected as MP for that constituency in the 4th republic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Francis Asenso-Boakye</span> Ghanaian politician

Francis Asenso-Boakye is a Ghanaian politician and businessman. He is a member of the New Patriotic Party. He is the member of parliament for the Bantama Constituency in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. He was the deputy Chief of Staff and Political Assistant to Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo; President of the Republic of Ghana. He is currently the Minister for Roads and Highways.

Cynthia Jane Naa-Koshie Lamptey is a Ghanaian lawyer and public servant. She served as the Director of Public Prosecutions under the John Dramani Mahama administration. She was nominated and subsequently appointed deputy Special Prosecutor of Ghana in 2018. She served as the acting Special Prosecutor of Ghana following the resignation of the then Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu on 16 November 2020, until the appointment of Kissi Agyebeng on 5 August 2021.

Issifu Omoro Tanko Amadu is a Supreme Court judge of the Republic of Ghana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Presidency of Nana Akufo-Addo</span> Ghanaian presidential administration from 2017 to present

The presidency of Nana Akufo-Addo began on 7 January 2017. Following the 2016 Ghanaian general elections, Nana Akufo-Addo the flag-bearer of the New Patriotic Party, succeeded John Mahama as the 5th President of the Ghanaian Fourth Republic after winning by a landslide. He won a second term on 9 December 2020 in a tightly contested race against National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate and former president, John Mahama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Presidency of John Atta Mills</span> Ghanaian presidential administration from 2009 to 2012

The presidency of John Atta Mills began on 7 January 2009 and ended on 24 July 2012. John Atta Mills, an NDC candidate, became the 3rd President of the Ghanaian Fourth Republic after he defeated NPP opponent Nana Akufo-Addo in the 2008 Ghanaian general election. After his death on 24 July 2012, John Atta Mills was succeeded by his vice president, John Mahama in accordance to the 1992 Constitution. He was the first Ghanaian Head of State to die in office.

Akua Sakyiwaa Ahenkorah is a Ghanaian diplomat who has worked for the Foreign relations of Ghana in various capacities and presently serves as Ghana's Ambassador to Malaysia. She is the first female Ghanaian envoy to Malaysia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Godfred Yeboah Dame</span> Ghanaian lawyer and politician

Godfred Yeboah Dame is a Ghanaian lawyer and politician. He is a member of the New Patriotic Party. He was previously the deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice. He is currently the Attorney General.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kissi Agyebeng</span> Ghanaian lawyer

Kissi Agyebeng is a Ghanaian lawyer, academic, and the Special Prosecutor of Ghana since 2021. Prior to his appointment, he was a lecturer at the University of Ghana, Managing Partner at Cromwellgray LLP, and the Chairman of the Electronic Communications Tribunal of Ghana.

References

  1. "Why Martin Amidu resign as Ghana Special Prosecutor". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  2. "Attorney-General Martin Amidu Was in Office from January 2011 to January 2012". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  3. "Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu has resigned". MyJoyOnline. 16 November 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  4. "GARGANTUAN!! Thank You Hon. Martin Amidu". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  5. "Martin Amidu Explains Why Atta Mills Sacked Him". Pulse Ghana. 18 March 2015. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  6. Bureau, Communications. "President Akufo-Addo Nominates Martin Amidu As Special Prosecutor". presidency Government of Ghana. Retrieved 9 March 2021.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  7. "Parliament approves Amidu as Special Prosecutor today - MyJoyOnline.com". myjoyonline. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  8. "Nana Addo names Martin Amidu as Special Prosecutor". Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always. 11 January 2018. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  9. "Attorney-General Martin Amidu Was in Office from January 2011 to January 2012". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  10. "Martin Amidu responds to Frank Benneh's allegations". MyJoyOnline. Archived from the original on 13 April 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
  11. "Martin Amidu, Biography". Ghanaweb. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  12. "Rawlings Didn't Like Amidu As Running Mate – Prof Kwamena Ahwoi". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  13. "Rawlings was against Amidu as Mills' running mate for election 2000 - Kwamena Ahwoi". ghanaweb. 14 August 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  14. "Martin Amidu : The hero of our time". Graphic Online. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  15. FM, Peace. "Ghana Election 2004". Ghana Elections - Peace FM. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  16. "President Mills reshuffles Ministers". General web. 25 January 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
  17. "Reshuffle Blues: Sena Dansua Heads Sports Ministry". Ghanaweb. 26 January 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
  18. Daily Guide (27 January 2010). "Martin Amidu Is Bad For Bawku Peace". ModernGhana. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
  19. "Martin Amidu, Biography". ghanaweb. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  20. "Bawku MP lauds appointment of new Interior Minister - MyJoyOnline.com". myjoyonline. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  21. "Cabinet reshuffle: Zita dropped, Betty for education". Ghana Home Page. 4 January 2011. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  22. "Martin Alamisi Burnes Kaiser Amidu | Profile | Africa Confidential". africa-confidential. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  23. "Why Martin Amidu was sacked; the Inside Story". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  24. "Today in 2016: Amidu was sacked because he attempted to beat Mills – Woyome". ghanaweb. 18 November 2019. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  25. "Attorney-General, Martin Amidu, has been sacked - MyJoyOnline.com". myjoyonline. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  26. "Woyome, Amidu showdown in limbo - MyJoyOnline.com". myjoyonline. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  27. "Amidu can cross examine Woyome, Supreme Court rules". ghanaweb. 16 November 2016. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  28. "Nana Addo names Martin Amidu as Special Prosecutor - Ghana News". Ghana News. 11 January 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  29. "Amidu sworn in as Ghana's first Special Prosecutor". Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always. 23 February 2018. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  30. Acheampong, Kwame (23 February 2018). "Akufo-Addo to swear in Martin Amidu as SP today". Starr Fm. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  31. "Amidu's Acceptance Speech". 24 February 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  32. "See Ghana Prez replies to Martin Amidu say he try turn special prosecutor into 'poodle'". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  33. "Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu has resigned". MyJoyOnline.com. 16 November 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  34. "Why Martin Amidu resigned as Special Prosecutor [LETTER TO PRESIDENT]". Graphic Online. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  35. "See Ghana Prez replies to Martin Amidu say he try turn special prosecutor into 'poodle'". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  36. "Martin Amidu resigns as Special Prosecutor". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 16 November 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  37. "Why Martin Amidu resigned as Special Prosecutor [LETTER TO PRESIDENT]". Graphic Online. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
Party political offices
Preceded by National Democratic Congress Vice presidential candidate
2000
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Minister for Interior
2010 2011
Succeeded by
Preceded by Attorney General and Minister for Justice
2011 2012
Succeeded by