The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has opened a preliminary investigation into an alleged GH¢70,000 payment reportedly made to Deputy Minority Leader and Asokwa MP, Patricia Appiagyei, in connection with the vetting of ministerial and Supreme Court nominees.

The investigation follows the circulation of a purported memorandum allegedly written by Mrs Appiagyei and addressed to the Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh.

In the document, Mrs Appiagyei is said to have indicated that she returned GH¢70,000 allegedly received as an advance from the Majority Chief Whip through the Minority Chief Whip.

The money was reportedly linked to the parliamentary vetting of two ministerial nominees and three nominees to the Supreme Court.

The OSP says it has taken note of the document and is seeking to establish whether it is authentic, as well as determine the source of the alleged payment and the purpose for which it was provided.

According to the anti-corruption agency, the contents of the purported memorandum suggest that Mrs Appiagyei questioned where the money came from and whether the payment could be connected to attempts to extort the nominees appearing before the Appointments Committee.

The OSP said the matter warrants investigation given the constitutional mandate of Parliament’s Appointments Committee and the need to preserve the credibility of the vetting process.

The Office has consequently begun preliminary inquiries into the authenticity of the document, the origin of the alleged funds and their intended purpose.

As part of the investigation, the OSP says it has formally invited Mrs Appiagyei to appear before the Office and assist investigators with the inquiry.

The Special Prosecutor further disclosed that it is actively investigating allegations of extortion involving Members of Parliament.

The investigation is ongoing, and the OSP is yet to make a determination on the authenticity of the document or establish whether any offence has been committed.