Parliament Rocked! Extortion Allegations Spark Agalga's Call for Calm & OSP Probe
Incoming Majority Leader James Agalga calls for calm amid escalating extortion allegations against Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin. Agalga emphasizes allowing state institutions and courts to investigate, noting that legal actions have been initiated and the OSP has begun preliminary inquiries into the serious claims. He also acknowledges the potential impact on Parliament's reputation.
Incoming Majority Leader James Agalga has called for calm and a ceasefire amid the escalating dispute over extortion allegations involving Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin. The Builsa North MP said the seriousness of the claims requires the matter to be handled through appropriate state institutions and legal processes rather than continued public allegations and counter-allegations.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express, Agalga confirmed that legal and institutional mechanisms have already been activated to address the controversy.
Afenyo-Markin has reportedly initiated legal action by filing suits or writs before the courts to protect his rights, while other individuals have petitioned the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) over the allegations.
The OSP has acknowledged the petitions and commenced preliminary investigations into the matter, which also involves GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi, according to reports. Agalga, who is a lawyer, declined to comment on the merits of the allegations, urging all parties to adopt a “wait-and-see” approach while the formal processes run their course.
Legal Processes Take Centre Stage
Agalga described the allegations as serious and disturbing, particularly because they involve the office of the Minority Leader and could affect Parliament's reputation and institutional credibility.
He argued that allowing the courts and investigative agencies to work without interference would give them the opportunity to establish the facts and determine whether any party should be held liable. He also suggested that the seriousness of the allegations could explain why Afenyo-Markin chose to pursue legal recourse.
Asked whether Parliament should independently investigate the controversy, Agalga said he was unsure whether Speaker Alban Bagbin had formally received any petition concerning the matter. However, he expressed confidence that the Speaker would act appropriately if such a petition reached him.
With the dispute now before the courts and the OSP, Agalga's central appeal is for restraint while the relevant institutions determine what actually happened.