OSP to assess extortion allegations involving Sammy Gyamfi and Afenyo-Markin

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has received three petitions concerning extortion allegations made by Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Chief Executive Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, against Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin. The OSP said one of the petitions was jointly submitted by two individuals, while two separate petitions were filed by other persons, all in relation to the allegations. In a statement issued on Monday, August 24, the OSP said it had taken note of the public allegations of extortion and related conduct made by Mr Gyamfi against Mr Afenyo-Markin.

The office subsequently confirmed that it had received three petitions seeking its attention on the matter. “The OSP also acknowledges a joint petition submitted by two persons, as well as two separate petitions submitted by other persons, in relation to the allegations,” it said. The OSP said receipt of the petitions did not amount to a determination of the truth or otherwise of the allegations.

It explained that it would first assess the matter to establish whether the allegations fall within its statutory mandate and whether there are grounds for further investigative action. “Given the nature of the allegations, the OSP will assess the case and determine whether it falls within its statutory mandate and whether further investigative action is warranted,” the office said. READ ALSO: OSP to assess extortion allegations involving Sammy Gyamfi and Afenyo-Markin The development comes amid an escalating public dispute between Mr Gyamfi and Mr Afenyo-Markin over the Minority’s concerns about the financial performance of GoldBod and the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.

Mr Afenyo-Markin has denied the allegations against him and has indicated that he is considering his legal options. The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) says it will assess allegations of extortion and related conduct made by the Chief Executive of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, against the Minority Leader of Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin. According to a press release issued on Monday, August 24, the anti-corruption agency said it had taken note of the allegations, which have attracted public attention, as well as petitions submitted to it in connection with the matter.

The OSP disclosed that it had received a joint petition from two individuals concerning the allegations. It also confirmed receiving two separate petitions from other individuals relating to the same matter. According to the OSP, the first step will be to examine the nature and substance of the allegations and determine whether the case falls within the scope of its statutory mandate.

The office will subsequently decide whether the circumstances disclosed in the allegations and petitions provide sufficient grounds for further investigative action. ‘Jesus was accused; he kept quiet’ Meanwhile, the Minority Leader appears to have softened his earlier threat to pursue legal action over allegations made against him by the GoldBod CEO. Mr Afenyo-Markin had indicated in a Facebook post that he would seek legal remedies over what he described as defamatory allegations, including claims portraying him as an “extortionist”.