OSP commences probe into Ayawaso West Wuogon food distribution incident
4th December 2024
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has launched a comprehensive investigation into allegations of misconduct involving parliamentary candidates in the Ayawaso West Wuogon parliamentary election.
Joy News understands that the two candidates contesting the seat, John Dumelo of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and incumbent New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) Lydia Alhassan, are being investigated for various infractions allegedly committed during the special voting exercise on Monday, December 2, ahead of the main election on Saturday.
According to a report by Joy News’ Elton Brobbey, it is unclear whether the two candidates’ visit to the OSP was an official arrest.
He stated that the OSP is “closely monitoring her [Lydia Forson’s] activities” and will gather “substantial evidence before proceeding with a formal arrest and charges.”
The OSP has also stated that it is investigating John Dumelo for interacting with voters in the queue on Monday. The office explained that Dumelo’s actions violated electoral laws.
Meanwhile, the OSP has emphasized that it will not rush the investigation with barely three days to the election. The office believes it is important to take appropriate measures step by step, and the outcome will be announced after the main election on Saturday.
The office explained that delivering a verdict before the main election could negatively or positively affect both candidates.
During Monday’s special voting exercise in the constituency, the incumbent MP was captured on camera distributing items suspected to be food, water, and drinks to voters in the queue.
However, she denied the act and insisted she was not at the polling station at the time of the alleged incident.
After Joy News released videos of the MP that went viral, the MP admitted to the act but insisted she had no intention of inducing voters.
She explained that she had packaged the food for her party’s constituency officers, and while in the process of giving it to them, some voters in the queue asked for it, leading her to share the food with them.