Agalga calls for ‘ceasefire’ as Afenyo-Markin extortion row escalates

Incoming Majority Leader James Agalga has called for a “ceasefire” in an escalating dispute over extortion allegations involving Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin.

Mr Agalga said the matter should now be left to the courts and state investigative agencies rather than allowing the allegations and counter-allegations to intensify.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Monday, the Builsa North MP said several legal and institutional processes had already been triggered.

“I think that the appropriate institutions of state, law enforcement, etc., have invoked their powers. So I think that we should wait and see. Let’s adopt a wait-and-see approach,” he said.

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has acknowledged that it has begun preliminary investigations into the matter, while Mr Afenyo-Markin has indicated that he has initiated legal action.

Mr Agalga declined to comment on the substance of the allegations, saying it would be inappropriate for him, as a lawyer, to discuss their merits while court proceedings were under way.

He also said some individuals had petitioned the OSP over the matter and that the outcome of the various processes could establish whether any of the parties involved had breached the law.

“So, for now, I think that we need to allow cool heads to prevail and let there be a ceasefire for now,” Mr Agalga said.

The allegations have drawn increasing attention because they involve one of Parliament’s most senior offices and have the potential to further deepen tensions between the governing majority and minority.

Mr Agalga acknowledged the seriousness of the claims, describing them as “quite disturbing” and saying they “carry a lot of weight”.

He suggested that the seriousness of the allegations could explain why Mr Afenyo-Markin had taken the matter to court.

“I guess that is why the minority leader himself has found it necessary to take out writs before the law courts,” he said.

The incoming Majority Leader was also asked whether Parliament itself should investigate the allegations, given that they concern the holder of a senior parliamentary position.

He pointed to the possibility of a petition being submitted to Speaker Alban Bagbin.

Mr Agalga said he was not certain whether the Speaker had officially received such a petition, but expressed confidence that Parliament would become aware of it if it had been formally submitted.

“Knowing who Mr Speaker is, I would have no doubts at all that once he gets hold of a petition of that sort, we would know about it,” he said.

For now, Mr Agalga's position is that the courts and investigative authorities should be allowed to complete their work before politicians or Parliamentarians draw conclusions about the allegations.