<<Print>>

A renowned anti-corruption campaigner has chastised former Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Justice Emile Short, for calling for a truce between colleague anti-corruption crusader, Martin Amdiu and renowned investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas.

According to the celebrated anti-corruption crusader, Justice Emile Short’s call for ceasefire between the two respected anti-graft campaigners “smacks of someone who is not interested in getting to the truth or otherwise of the issues raised by Martin Amidu.”

In an exclusive chat with The aL-hAJJ on strict condition of anonymity, the anti-corruption advocate stated “I respect Justice Emile Short and I must admit he is someone I have looked up to in my formative years, but on this particular issue I disagree with the position he has taken…all anti-corruption campaigners and Ghanaians must be interested in knowing whether there is merit in the issues raised by Martin Amidu…, and also, Anas’ owned hard won reputation, so why the call for truce?”

Adding that “It is not enough to call for ceasefire…of course what the two foremost anti-corruption campaigners are engaged in may not healthy but I think any serious campaigner against corruption will be interested in getting to the bottom of the matter, not only in the interest of the nation but, the two protagonist themselves.”

While admitting that as an elder and seasoned lawyer, the former CHRAJ Commissioner may have his reasons calling for a truce, the anti-corruption crusader, nevertheless believes “he (Emile Short) shouldn’t have ended there. After calling for ceasefire, he should have also called for full scale interrogation into the matter so we will all be clear in our minds.”

“But if you ask the two gentlemen to keep quiet on these issues…it is as though you are trying to cover up something and it is these very behaviors that we as anti-corruption crusaders have spoken against. All of us must be interested in getting to the bottom of this matter,” he stressed.

Following the ongoing war of words between Martin Amidu and Anas Aremeyaw Anas, the former Commissioner of CHRAJ, Justice Emile Short had called on the two foremost anti-corruption campaigners to ceasefire.

“I would like to plead with both of them to stop the exchanges and rather come together and check out whatever differences they have… that is what is most important. Any further exchanges and accusations and allegations will not help the anti-corruption, Justice Short told Starr News.

Adding that, “It is extremely important that there should be unity in the camp of all of us who are fighting to confront corruption.”
Martin Amidu and Anas have in recent times been at each other’s throat, with the former Attorney General calling the undercover journalist a “criminal”, claiming he is running a “fraudulent and unregistered” company, Tiger Eye PI.

The multiple-award-winning journalist, in a rejoinder, noted the “Citizen Vigilante” is “confused” and engaging in “white lies” because he was unable to provide evidence over his claims.

This, Justice Emile Shot said is unhealthy to the fight against corruption, insisting, “There should be ceasefire. The major objective for both of them should be to promote the anti-corruption agenda and they must settle their differences in an amicable manner.”

But his colleague anti-graft campaigner disagrees; “let us not be seen trying to cover up something. What we need now to get over this issue is transparency. Ghanaians want to know everything about this case so let us not be seen as only calling for truce but we should also be advocating for inquiries.”