The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has sent a letter to Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, requesting a range of evidence to facilitate its investigation into specific officials mentioned in the Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng report.
This action comes in response to a petition submitted by the legislator, urging the Commission to take up the case.
Prof. Frimpong-Boateng, the former Minister of Environment, has acknowledged being the author of the report on the activities of the disbanded Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM). Although the report was initially submitted to the Presidency, it was leaked on various media platforms this year, leading to calls for further investigations.
Presently, both the Office of the Special Prosecutor and CHRAJ are conducting investigations into the matter. In accordance with the petition, CHRAJ Commissioner Joseph Whittal has written to the legislator, requesting various pieces of evidence, which include:
- Proof of forest reserve damage
- Evidence of seized excavators
- Names and details of the implicated individuals and the nature of their communications
- Evidence of mining operations conducted by Mr. Charles Owusu
- Evidence demonstrating that Mr. Charles Owusu was mining without a permit
- Evidence of destruction caused to forests, farmlands, water bodies, and overall biodiversity by Mr. Charles Owusu
- Evidence of numerous large-scale concessions held by Hon. Joseph Albert Quarm, the former MP for Mandi Nkwanta
- Names and particulars of private individuals and party members to whom these concessions were sold
- Evidence indicating that the concessions were sold for two hundred thousand cedis.
However, lawyers representing the legislator, led by Nii Kpakpo Samoa Addo, have written to CHRAJ asserting that Prof. Frimpong-Boateng, as the author of the report, is in the best position to provide the requested evidence.
The lawyers argue that CHRAJ has a responsibility to investigate alleged corrupt practices, conflicts of interest, and abuse of office, hence the submission of the petition. They further state that Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng should be engaged by CHRAJ to assist with the investigation into the serious allegations made in the IMCIM report, which the lawyers’ client seeks to highlight for further examination.
Source – myjoyonline.com
