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The Special Prosecutor, Mr Martin Amidu has declined to investigate the missing excavators issue and the alleged thievery and corruption in the fight against illegal mining (galamsey) in Ghana.

According to Mr Amidu, the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) of the Ghana Police Service had already commenced investigations into the matters. The Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Kwabena Frimpong Boateng had earlier sent a complaint to the police on the issue.

In a response to the group dated February 24, 2020, seen by Graphic Online and copied to the Director-General of the CID of the Ghana Police Service, Mr Amidu explained that "it would not have been in the public interest of safeguarding the public purse for his Office to refer to its Investigation Division the same matters for investigation concurrently even if your complaint fell within the mandate of this Office."

He indicated the CID started its investigations "long before" ASEPA submitted its letter to the Special Prosecutor.

"In view of the fact that the matters disclosed in your letter may aid the Ghana Police Service in their investigations, this Office is by a copy of this letter forwarding a photocopy of your letter to the Criminal Investigations Department of the Police Service for consideration and possible action."