Ayariga acquitted and discharged over ambulance procurement breach
Bawku Central MP, Mahama Ayariga, has been exonerated by an Accra High Court over alleged procurement infractions in the purchase of an ambulance.
His exoneration comes after the Accra High Court on Friday May 7, acquitted and discharged him, together with six others of all charges.
The charges against them was the first suit filed by the Office of the Special Prosecutor, led by Martin Amidu, shortly after his appointment.
Per the facts, the MP is alleged to have instigated and encouraged the purchase of the ambulance without following the procedure in the Public Procurement Act.
The Bawku Central MP maintained his innocence and insisted there was no case against him.
Mr Ayariga was charged together with six others, including the MCE for Bawku, Hajia Ninchema.
The seven were facing seven counts of conspiracy, abetment, contravention of the procedure for request for quotation, using public office for profit and transfer of foreign exchange from Ghana through an unauthorised dealer.
They pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The seven are alleged to have acted together to import an ambulance without following due process, as stipulated by law.
However, all seven were acquitted and discharged on Friday, May 7, 2021, by the court presided by Justice Afia Serwah Asare–Botwe.
Mr Ayariga’s lawyer Godwin Tamakloe had filed a submission of no case.
Meanwhile, the court is yet to begin proceedings on the second case of possible corruption against the lawmaker.
In this other case, he is accused of using his office for private gain along with other charges relating to tax offences, procurement breaches and forex trading.
Mr Ayariga expressed his gratitude to Ghanaians for the support after the hearing.
“We’ve been in court for several weeks now, and the judge gave a ruling and acquitted and discharged all of us of all the charges that were levelled against us by the Office of the Special Prosecutor. So I just want to thank all those who rallied to support me when the matter was brought to the public attention,” he said, beaming with smiles.