TIG Post

Tag: Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP)

  • SML CEO, 3 others granted bail after arrest by OSP over corruption and related offences

    SML CEO, 3 others granted bail after arrest by OSP over corruption and related offences

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has granted bail to Chief Executive Officer of Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML), Evans Adusei and three others who were arrested for their involvement in contracts between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and SML for revenue assurance services.

    The rest of the suspects granted bail are Philip Mensah, former deputy commissioner of Legal GRA and now legal consultant to SML; Joseph Kuruk and Faustina Adjorkor, both staff of the Public Procurement Authority; and Kofi Nti, former Commissioner General of GRA.

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) on June 25 arrested Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, former Commissioner-General of the GRA; Isaac Crentsil, ex-Commissioner of Customs and now General Manager at Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML); and Christian Tetteh Sottie, former Technical Advisor and now MD/CEO of SML.

    These three individuals have been detained after failing to meet bail conditions.

    The arrests are linked to ongoing investigations into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences in respect of contracts between the GRA and SML for revenue assurance services.

    The probe also seeks to verify SML’s claims that its services have been saving the nation significant revenues.

    The activities of SML came to light years ago after investigative journalist, Manasseh Azure Awuni, raised contractual breaches in a deal involving Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML).

    The original purpose of the GRA-SML contract was to boost revenue assurance in vital sectors of Ghana’s economy, including the downstream petroleum sector, upstream petroleum production, and the minerals and metals value chain.

    The goal was to streamline revenue collection, ensuring greater transparency and efficiency in these high-revenue sectors.

    Following concerns, an in-depth audit was carried out by international firm KPMG, commissioned by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    The audit was launched to examine the contractual agreements between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and SML, with a particular focus on the procedures and approvals related to the contract.

    The KPMG audit uncovered significant procedural errors and regulatory violations in awarding the contract. Specifically, the GRA did not obtain the required approvals from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) and failed to seek parliamentary oversight before finalizing the agreement with SML

    GRA entered into six (6) service agreements with SML, utilising the single-source method without obtaining approval from PPA, as outlined below:

    a) Transaction Audit Services—1 June 2018

    b) Contract Extension—1 January 2019

    c) External Price Verification Services—1 April 2019

    d) Consolidation Services Agreement (Transaction Audit & External Verification Services)—3 October 2019

    e) Measurement Audit of Downstream Petroleum Products—3 October 2019

    f) Addendum to Measurement Audit for Downstream Petroleum Products Agreement—29 July 2020.

    The audit report also revealed that SML owes the government over GHC31 million in taxes.

    During the period from 1 September 2020 to 30 April 2021, a bulk payment to SML covering invoices for an 8-month period did not have VAT and WHT deductions, amounting to GHE13.38 million.

    This contradicts GRA’s standard practice of deducting such taxes for payments to SML between 1 June 2020 and 31 August 2023.

    Additionally, SML failed to fulfil its statutory obligations by neither filing returns nor remitting these taxes to GRA.

    Pursuant to Section 71(1) of the RA Act, the accrued interest on the tax liability is estimated at GHC18.50 million owed by SML to GRA as of 31 January 2024. Consequently, the total liability incurred by SML amounts to GHC31.88 million.

    In May 2024, Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam Nartey George, noted that the then Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta had a role to play in the controversial deal.

    “The SML or SMEL deal is a clear example of what Justice Dotse described as a create, loot and share. One thing Ghanaians must bear in mind is that all of these happened with the tacit approval of the then Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.”

    “As usual, he is trying to run under the radar and people are failing to realise, the key cardinal role he played in this entire arrangement,” he stated while speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile programme on Saturday, May 25.

    In February this year, SML dragged Azure Awuni to court, claiming that Manasseh referred to its agreement with the government as “the biggest scam” and labeled the deal as “shady” while branding the entire situation “the SML scandal.”

    SML is seeking several remedies from the court, including:

    • GH¢1,000,000 in general damages for defamation.
    • GH¢20,000,000 in exemplary damages for what it describes as malicious reporting.
    • A perpetual injunction to prevent Manasseh from making further defamatory claims about the company.
    • A public retraction and apology specifically for statements made in Chapter 28 of his book.
    • Any other reliefs the court deems appropriate.

    It is important to note that the former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has been declared wanted by the OSP for causing financial loss to the state in several dealings, which include the contractual arrangement between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority for the stated objective of the enhancement of revenue assurance in the downstream petroleum sector, upstream petroleum production, and minerals and metals resource value chain.

  • Galamsey bribery case: Wontumi’s aide Andy Owusu fined GHC6k, to pay GHC200k to the state

    Galamsey bribery case: Wontumi’s aide Andy Owusu fined GHC6k, to pay GHC200k to the state

    The High Court has convicted Thomas Andy Owusu, aide to New Patriotic Party Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, in a corruption case tied to illegal mining licensing.

    According to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), Mr Owusu, who is the second accused in the case of The Republic v. Charles Bissue & Another, was convicted on his own plea after the court accepted a plea agreement entered under section 71 of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959).

    The charge was based on corruption of a public officer and accepting a bribe to influence a public officer.

    Tiger Eye PI’s 2019 “Galamsey Fraud Part One” investigation implicated Owusu and then-presidential staffer Charles Bissue in facilitating illegal mining licences for bribes, bypassing official processes.

    For taking GHS15,000 as his compensation so that he can influence a public officer to bypass the licencing requirements, Mr Owusu, per the agreement reached, will pay a fine of 500 penalty units (equivalent to GHS 6,000) and restitution of GHS 200,000 to the state.

    Meanwhile, the court has struck out two additional charges—corruption of a public officer and accepting a bribe to influence a Public Officer.

    Following the second accused’s conviction, the court can now focus on the first accused, Charles Bissue, who has been accused of using public office for profit, contrary to section 179C(b) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

    His trial will continue on June 10 with a scheduled case management conference.

    In a related development, the Supreme Court has delivered a ruling in the ongoing civil legal dispute between Charles Bissue and the OSP.

    In 2023, Bissue filed a case at the Human Rights Court, claiming that the OSP had unlawfully obtained an arrest warrant for his apprehension.

    The OSP denied this, stating that it did not require a warrant to arrest Bissue. The Kaneshie District Court, which Bissue alleged had issued the warrant, confirmed it had not granted any such order.

    The Attorney-General, representing the District Court, also testified that no warrant existed. Bissue was unable to produce the alleged warrant and instead relied on an interview granted by the Special Prosecutor on Joy FM’s Newsfile programme.

    His legal team argued that the remarks in the interview led them to believe a warrant had been issued.

    The Human Rights Court, after confirming the non-existence of a warrant, dismissed the case and ruled that there was no need to play the interview or allow the cross-examination of Bissue’s lawyer.

    Dissatisfied with the decision, Bissue petitioned the Supreme Court to overturn the ruling.

    On Tuesday, the Supreme Court ordered that the Newsfile interview be played in court to allow the contents to be properly assessed.

    The decision means the matter returns to the Human Rights Court, where the OSP will also be allowed to cross-examine Bissue’s lawyer on the alleged existence of the warrant.

  • Ofori-Atta’s Mayo Clinic health report has not been submitted to OSP

    Ofori-Atta’s Mayo Clinic health report has not been submitted to OSP

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has denied receiving a letter from a hospital containing an alleged medical report on former Finance Minister Kenneth Ofori-Atta.

    This follows the publication of a medical report by the Mayo Clinic by media houses that claimed that the OSP received this letter and still declared the former minister a fugitive.

    The OSP in a statement stated; “We wish to place on record that neither Mr. Ofori-Atta nor his lawyers have submitted any such letter to the OSP.

    According to the OSP, the only correspondence received from his legal representatives is a letter notifying the OSP of a change in his medical condition, and on their say-so.

    “It is notable that this alleged hospital letter has been circulated through the media rather than submitted to the law enforcement agency actively investigating him and responsible for decisions regarding his return to Ghana.”

    “To date, no certified medical records or official document from any hospital authority has been submitted to the OSP indicating that Mr. Ofori-Atta is incapacitated or unable to travel to Ghana,” the OSP added.

    The letter from the Mayo Clinic revealed that Mr. Ofori-Atta has undergone an MR-guided biopsy and has been diagnosed with prostate cancer; thus, a surgical intervention has been deemed necessary after the testing and MRI and biopsy procedures in March 2025.

    “This surgical procedure has been scheduled for June 13, with Dr. Paras Shah of the Department of Urology. It is hoped that a closer date may open up. Following the procedure, Mr. Ofori-Atta will require a recovery period before he is able to travel to his home country,” the letter added.

    Yesterday, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) refused the legal team of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta’s request for a virtual session for a probe into allegations of financial loss to the state.

    Ken Ofori-Atta was expected to appear before the Office of Special Prosecutor (OSP) on Monday; however, that was not the case.

    The OSP, in reaction to the request during an engagement with the press today, declared Mr Ofori-Atta a wanted person again and issued an Interpol Red Notice for failing to appear before the OSP after assuring the office of his presence.

    It noted the failure of the former minister to inform the OSP of changes in medical procedure that were to have happened in March of this year.

    “He has failed to show any medical report that shows he is a medical risk.”

    “We want him physically, and we insist on it,” the OSP said, while noting that Mr Ofori-Atta cannot indicate the mode of investigation.

    “His conduct is totally unacceptable. We will no longer tolerate him.”

    In February, the OSP declared Ofori-Atta wanted for causing financial loss to the state in several dealings, which include the following:

    Contractual arrangement between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority for the stated objective of the enhancement of revenue assurance in the downstream petroleum sector, upstream petroleum production, and minerals and metals resource value chain.

    Termination of a distribution, loss reduction, and associated network improvement project contract between the Electricity Company of Ghana Limited and Beijing Xhao Chen Technology BXC.

    Procurement of contractors and materials and activities and payments in respect of the National Cathedral project

    Activities and payments in respect of a contract awarded by the Ministry of Health initially commenced by the Ministry for Special Development Initiative to service Ghana Auto Group Limited for purchases and after-sales service and maintenance of 307 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 304 5 CDI Ambulances for the National Ambulance Service.

    Payments out of and utilization of the tax refund account of the Ghana Revenue Authority.

    Later, the legal representatives of the former finance minister informed the OSP that their client is currently undergoing medical treatment in the United States and is unable to honor an invitation for questioning.

    Ofori-Atta then assured the OSP of its commitment to appearing for questioning on a fixed date, which influenced the OSP’s decision to temporarily take his name off the list in March.

    However, the office stressed that he is legally obligated to show up on June 2. Failure to do so, an Interpol Red Notice would be issued and extradition proceedings would be initiated in any country where he may be located.

    Ken Ofori-Atta then took legal steps to block the OSP from re-declaring him wanted. His lawsuit argues that the agency’s actions are baseless and unjustified.

    Ofori-Atta has dismissed allegations of financial misconduct and corruption, insisting that he has been cooperating with investigators through his legal representatives.

    In his court filing, he contends that the OSP’s actions have inflicted serious harm on his reputation and personal life. He is seeking a legal injunction to prevent further declarations against him until the case is fully resolved.

    The Human Rights Court has adjourned to June 18 for a ruling on the motion filed by the former Finance Minister, seeking to restrain the OSP from declaring him wanted, among other reliefs. 

    INTERPOL Red Notice

    A Red Notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action. 

    It is based on an arrest warrant or court order issued by the judicial authorities in the requesting country. Member countries apply their own laws in deciding whether to arrest a person.

    INTERPOL cannot compel the law enforcement authorities in any country to arrest someone who is the subject of a Red Notice.

    Each member country decides what legal value it gives to a Red Notice and the authority of their law enforcement officers to make arrests.

  • We have not paid salaries to non-existent staff – Tamale Teaching Hospital Management

    We have not paid salaries to non-existent staff – Tamale Teaching Hospital Management

    The Tamale Teaching Hospital has denied allegations of paying salaries to non-existent staff, often referred to as ‘ghost names.’

    This denial comes after an investigation by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD), which uncovered payroll irregularities in several Northern Region institutions, including the hospital and educational facilities under the Ghana Education Service (GES).

    In an interview with Citi FM, Aliu Zuberu, the hospital’s Public Relations Officer, clarified that they had not received formal communication from the OSP.

    He emphasized the hospital’s dedication to transparency and addressing the issues raised.

    “We disagree with the information circulating. We have not had any formal communication from the OSP; we only saw a document online,” Zuberu said.

    He assured that the hospital is proactively addressing the concerns: “While awaiting formal communication, we are taking the issues seriously. We are reviewing our HR data and staff information. We’ve heard about ghost names and validation issues, but we don’t have the full details yet.”

    Zuberu stressed the importance of verifying payroll accuracy, ensuring no ghost employees are listed, and confirming that only active employees are validated.

    “We are conducting an internal assessment to verify the OSP’s claims and ensure there are no ghost names. We need to ensure we are not validating any non-existent employees,” he added. “We will respond appropriately to the OSP after our review.”

  • There was no use creating OSP – Bagbin

    There was no use creating OSP – Bagbin

    Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin expressed his conviction that the establishment of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) amounted to an exercise in futility. 

    Bagbin’s remarks shed light on the skepticism surrounding the efficacy of the OSP, raising questions about its purpose and impact.

    Given the presence of offices such as the Attorney General’s Department and the Ministry of Justice, the Speaker deems the creation of the OSP unnecessary.

    Speaking during the consideration of the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values, 2021, the Speaker of Parliament reaffirmed his stance that the office will not achieve any results in the fight against corruption.

    Speaker Bagbin insists the Attorney General’s department should rather be decoupled from the Ministry of Justice.

    “As for the law you passed on the establishment of the Office of the Special Prosecutor, I did tell you that it was an act in futility, you were not going to achieve anything but you went ahead and passed it,” he said.

    The assertion by the Speaker follows similar sentiments expressed by the Minority in Parliament since the establishment of the Office.

    Earlier, the group had alleged that the Office of the Special Prosecutor has not been able to successfully prosecute a single case of corruption for punishment.

    Speaking to journalists, the Minority Chief Whip, Governs Agbodza, said the office was unnecessary in the face of numerous investigative bodies in the country.

    “While some of us believe that that office was needless, because EOCO, CID and financial crime unit all those offices can combine and do a good job, the government insisted that the OSP will do more jobs. Are you aware that as we speak, they have not been able to successfully prosecute a single case, and anybody punished? So the question is how useful is that office? So we are saying that other people could have done the same thing,” he noted.

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor was established after an act of Parliament passed the Office of Special Prosecutor Bill in 2017.

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) is an independent specialised agency responsible for performing four (4) main functions.

    • The OSP is tasked with investigating specific cases of alleged or suspected corruption or corruption-related offences involving public officers and persons who have been entrusted with prominent public functions in Ghana or a foreign country or an international organisation such as senior political party officials, government officials, judicial officials, military officials, a person who is or has been an executive in a foreign country of a state-owned company, a senior political party official in a foreign country, and an immediate family member or close associate of such a person, as well as persons in the private sector involved in the commission of such offences.
    • The OSP is mandated to prosecute offenders involved in the commission of corruption and corruption-related offences on the authority of the Attorney-General.
    • The OSP is empowered to recover the proceeds of corruption and corruption-related offences.
    • The OSP is required to stake steps to prevent corruption.
  • Amidu drops bombshell on OSP: Exposes alleged bribery, corruption, and nepotism from secret sources

    Amidu drops bombshell on OSP: Exposes alleged bribery, corruption, and nepotism from secret sources

    Former Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, has exposed his successor, Kissi Agyebeng, for his alleged corruption and nepotism in a 15-page statement. Amidu, who resigned from his position in November 2020, accused Agyebeng of using his office to enrich himself and his friends, and of compromising the integrity and independence of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

    Amidu claims to have received information and intelligence from informants and the media that Agyebeng and his associates were demanding and receiving bribes from suspects under investigation by the OSP. He said that some of the suspects were either relatives or friends or former clients of Agyebeng or his staff, and that some of the cases were suppressed or delayed because of these connections.

    “I do not know whether the Special Prosecutor knows that tongues have been wagging from informants and intelligence, and in the media that a friend of the Special Prosecutor from the mountains usually demands and receives considerations allegedly for the benefit of the OSP during the preliminary investigation and full investigations of case to tamper with the resultant threats to continue with the case and to prosecute the suspects in court. Tongues have also been wagging that Issah Seidu had to suffer incarceration for long periods because his friends and relations at home and abroad could not raise considerations to meet demands from some staff of the OSP. Tongues are further wagging that there are completed investigation dockets in the OSP which are not moving forward because senior officials of the OSP, including its head, are either relatives or friends or former professional representatives of the suspects or have received considerations from the suspects,” he said.

    Amidu also questioned the procurement of over 50 vehicles and cars by the OSP, some of which were allegedly involved in an accident on the Tema Motorway. He said that the OSP did not have an operational procurement entity at the time and that the public did not hear or see any donation or grant from any source for these vehicles. He said that this raised suspicions of violations of the procurement law and the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) approval.

    “I got to know that in 2022 the OSP took possession of over fifty operational vehicles and cars some with bullet proof fortifications from the Tema port which were hidden under the basement of the OSP. The OSP did not have an operational procurement entity at the time to enable the OSP to procure them from its moneys approved by Parliament; internally generated funds, and grants approved by the Minister responsible for Finance in consultation with the Attorney-General. My information is that two of the vehicles driven from the Tema Port in convey got involved in an accident on the Tema Motorway in which one of the vehicles became a complete write-off. The public has not heard or seen the President, Attorney-General or any entity presenting these over fifty vehicles as gifts to the OSP as is the usual practice with donations in the form of grants. A media briefing by the OSP will assuage public suspicions of violations of the procurement law in their procurement,” he said.

    He also alleged that Agyebeng procured a fleet of vehicles, including pickups, from a car rental company belonging to his friend or associated with his friend, who is also an employee of the OSP, without going through a competitive bidding process and the PPA approval. He said that Agyebeng also rented or purchased a Prado four wheel drive for the Chief Accountant of the OSP, who is a signatory to the OSP accounts, without the same favour for other heads of departments.

    “Still on procurement! Can the Special Prosecutor explain at a media briefing one of his first acts on his assumption of office – how he came to procure a fleet of vehicles including pickups from a car rental company allegedly belonging to his friend or associated with his friend who is alleged to be one of his employees now which he used as back-up for his security details without going through a competitive car rental company bidding process and the approval of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA)? What consideration informed the alleged immediate procurement by renting or purchasing a Prado four wheel drive without PPA approval for the Chief Accountant of the OSP who is a signatory to the OSP accounts only weeks after assuming office when other heads of departments went without the same favour? Remember that the OSP investigates and prosecutes procurement malpractices and the OSP’s press conference will instil confidence in the investigatory work of the OSP when the OSP investigates persons suspected of the commission of similar procurement offences,” he said.

    Amidu also accused Agyebeng of travelling abroad frequently on the public purse without any written information to his deputy or the public. He said that Agyebeng even travelled with orderlies who had no security functions to perform on such trips, and that some of his friends accompanied him on some of these trips at their own expense.

    “The Special Prosecutor should be addressing a press conferences on whether it is true that since his assumption of office he has spent more than a third of the year in 2021, 2022, and 2023 traveling abroad on the public purse without any written information to his deputy on his travelling abroad. Is it true that the Special Prosecutor even travels with orderlies who have no security functions to perform on such trips abroad?. Is it also true that certain friends of the Special Prosecutor accompany him on some of these trips at their own expense which can be detected from entries from the Ghana Immigration Service data base? By the way, the public wishes to know how many times the Special Prosecutor has traveled abroad on official duties since 9 August 2021, and if accompanied by whom; and whether the DSP was formally informed about these travels abroad. It may well be that when the Special Prosecutor becomes more transparent and accountable and addresses the issues raised at a media briefing, the suspicions of members of the public who may be tarnishing the integrity of the OSP may be put to rest. I raise them here because of the invitation thrown to the public by the Special Prosecutor and the fact that the policy of the OSP to be transparent with the public is a two way street of openness and accountability,” he said.

    Amidu said that he raised these issues because of the invitation thrown to the public by Agyebeng to support the OSP in its work. He said that he wanted the OSP to be transparent and accountable and to address the issues raised at the media briefing. He said that he wanted to protect the integrity and independence of the OSP from becoming a rogue institution.

    Read the full text of Amidu’s statement below.

    Kissi Agyebeng, The Special… by The Independent Ghana

  • Cecilia Dapaah: Your computation of time limitation is erroneous – OSP tells Court

    Cecilia Dapaah: Your computation of time limitation is erroneous – OSP tells Court

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has expressed its disagreement with the high court’s decision to reject the application for the seizure and freezing of Cecilia Dapaah’s assets.

    The high court’s refusal was based on several grounds, including that the confirmation of the seizure application was submitted beyond the stipulated time frame. Additionally, the court found fault with the OSP’s failure to disclose transaction details related to the accounts in question. Furthermore, the court deemed the freezing order as being motivated by public sentiment rather than a result of proper investigations.

    As a result, the Financial and Economic Division of the Accra High Court has instructed the Office of the Special Prosecutor to return all seized funds from the former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah.

    The court has provided a seven-day deadline for compliance with this ruling and has refrained from confirming the freezing of her bank accounts and other properties.

    In response to this decision, the OSP has issued a statement acknowledging its respect for the court’s ruling but asserting its disagreement with the court’s conclusions.

    Explaining his disagreement, he said, “First, the OSP believes that the court’s computation of the time limitation is, with respect, erroneous. The OSP searched three (3) private residences associated with Ms. Dapaah over the course of two (2) weeks. The searches and discovery were ongoing during that period. There is little doubt that the OSP filed its application within the statutory window once the search and discovery window is considered.”

    “Second, the seizure by the OSP and the Special Prosecutor’s freezing order was effectuated on the very firm basis of reasonable suspicion that the amounts and bank balances were tainted property as Ms. Dapaah prevaricated as to the source(s) of the amounts she reported stolen from the her residence, the amounts discovered by the OSP in her residence, and the volume of transactions in her bank accounts and investments.”

    The OSP refuted the court’s claim that the actions of the office were triggered by public sentiments.

    “Third, the freezing order was not based on public sentiments. Rather, it was based on court processes filed in a criminal matter before the Circuit court, Accra involving Ms. Dapaah as the complainant.”

    He stressed that the freezing order was effected to aid the investigation, as required by law, not on the basis of the investigation, as indicated by the court.

    “Therefore it cannot be said that the OSP did not carry out proper investigations to warrant the freezing order. The investigation has only commenced and it is ongoing,” he said.

    He assured the general public that he will take “all necessary legal steps to ensure that the seized amounts and the balances in Ms. Dapaah’s accounts and investments are neither concealed, lost, or otherwise dissipated.”

  • OSP ordered to return Cecilia Dapaah’s seized cash in 7 days

    OSP ordered to return Cecilia Dapaah’s seized cash in 7 days

    The Accra High Court has ordered the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to expeditiously return seized funds to former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah, within a seven-day timeframe, according to reports.

    On August 9, it was reported that the former minister’s cedi and dollar accounts had been frozen by the (OSP) pending further investigations into corruption and corruption-related activities.

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) is conducting a corruption investigation into Madam Dapaah and related offenses. This inquiry was initiated following the disclosure that she had over $1 million stored in her residence.

    These developments are occurring concurrently with the police and the Attorney General’s efforts to prosecute individuals accused of stealing the alleged funds from the former minister’s home.

    In July 2023, Madam Dapaah attracted considerable attention when the Chronicle Newspaper reported that her domestic staff were facing court charges for purportedly embezzling $1 million, 300,000 euros, as well as several million cedis and personal belongings belonging to the former minister and her husband, all valued at thousands of Ghana Cedis and dollars.

    Following a public outcry, Cecilia Dapaah subsequently resigned from her position she had held for the last five years.

    She noted that she did not want to disrupt the work of the government. She added that she was sure that any investigation would show she had acted with integrity.

    She was subsequently detained by the OSP but later granted bail. On Monday, July 24, 2023, officials from the Office of the Special Prosecutor conducted a search at the former Minister of Sanitation’s residence.

  • Ghanaians laud OSP for arresting Cecilia Dapaah

    Ghanaians laud OSP for arresting Cecilia Dapaah

    The media has engaged some Ghanaians to gather their thoughts on the arrest of Cecilia Dapaah by the Special Prosecutor yesterday, July 24, 2023.

    This action follows a court filing accusing two housekeepers of the former minister of stealing goods valued at $1 million, $300,000, and numerous additional millions of Ghana cedis from Cecilia Dapaah and her husband.

    The Office of Special Prosecutor was commended and given the public’s support for making an arrest.

    Others demanded an extensive investigation into Cecilia Dapaah‘s income and added that no honest or clean money should be stored at home rather than in the bank.

    “She deserves to be arrested. The arrest is in the right direction. Whether she has resigned or not, she needs to be arrested. Even if it is her money, Ghana needed help and she could assisted but she didn’t,” one of the citizens said.

  • Cecilia Dapaah’s home invaded by OSP

    Reports coming in is that officers of the Office of the Special Prosecutor are moving to the Akpelemkpe residence of former Sanitation Minister and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah to search her home.

    This comes after the former minister’s arrest today over suspicions of corruption and corruption-related offences, revolving around the alleged theft of significant amounts of money and valuable items from her aforementioned residence.

    Sources say Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour have been taken along for the search in their home.

    The couple is reported to have been robbed by two of their house helps in their home in Abelemkpe, Accra.

    The two, 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei are said to have undertaken their operation between July and October 2022.

    At an Accra Circuit Court, Patience and Sarah are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing, which include amounts of US$1 million, €300,000, and millions of Ghana Cedis.

    Clothes valued at GH¢95,000, handbags, perfumes, and jewelry worth US$95,000 were reportedly stolen as well.

    Three other individuals have also been charged in connection with the theft being investigated.

    Due to the controversy surrounding the “stolen” cash, Madam Cecilia Dapaah resigned from her position as Sanitation Minister on Sunday, July 23, 2023.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e06Xo3HY5HI

    Source: The Independent Ghana | Andy Ogbarmey-Tettey

  • OSP finalises investigations into 4 corruption relation cases

    OSP finalises investigations into 4 corruption relation cases

    Investigations into four significant cases have been concluded by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

    The four prominent cases are; a case related to the Gaming Commission, Charles Adu Boahen, a former Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, a wealthy businessman involved in attempting to bribe Members of Parliament, and Charles Bissue, the former Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining.

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor made this known in a Half Yearly Report.

    Charles Adu Boahen

    The Office has concluded investigation into a referral by the President of the Republic in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding Charles Adu Boahen, a former Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance.

    The corruption allegations are contained in an investigative documentary titled, Galamsey Economy – published by Tiger Eye P.I. and the investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas.

    According to the Special Prosecutor, he will issue directives and further action on the matter in due course.

    Unnamed Wealthy Businessman

    The Special Prosecutor has indicated that he will issue directives and further action on the matter in due course.

    The OSP expressed its gratitude to the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament and his staff for their cooperation and assistance during the investigation.

    Gaming Commission of Ghana

    The Office has concluded investigation into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences in respect of the procurement and the award of a contract to Turfsport Ghana Limited by the Gaming Commission of Ghana.

    According to the Special Prosecutor, he will issue directives and further action on the matter in due course.

    Charles Bissue

    The Office has concluded investigation into allegations of the use of public office for profit against Charles Bissue, during his tenure as Secretary to the erstwhile Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), arising from an investigative documentary titled Galamsey Fraud Part I published by Tiger Eye P.I. and the investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas.

    This investigation is a subset of a wider investigation on illegal mining and the activities and operations of the IMCIM.

    The Special Prosecutor will issue directives and further action on the matter in due course.

    Ongoing Investigations

    Electricity Company of Ghana Limited Investigation is ongoing in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding the termination of a Distribution, Loss Reduction and Associated Network Improvement Project contract between the Electricity Company of Ghana Limited and Beijing Xiao Cheng Technology (BXC).

    Illegal Mining Investigation is ongoing in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding illegal mining – referred to as Galamsey.

    The investigation targets some officials of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Forestry Commission. It also targets the activities and expenditure of the dissolved Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), especially in respect of the seizure and management of excavators, machinery, road vehicles, and gold nuggets.

    The investigation further targets the activities of Akonta Mining Limited and other companies; nationals of foreign countries allegedly involved in illegal mining; and allegations of corruption and corruption-related offences against some Municipal and District Chief Executives.

    National Sports Authority

    Investigation is ongoing in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding contracts awarded by the National Sports Authority for the provision of goods and services to the following entities:

    • Acoma Green Consult • Tabee Gh. Limited • Wanschie Car Rentals • Obiri Car Rentals • No Farmer No Fortune • STC Clinic • Bobina Solutions • Mum & Sons Signature

    Ghana Water Company Limited

    Investigation is ongoing in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding contracts awarded by Ghana Water Company Limited for the provision of goods and services to the following entities: • Nayak 96 Enterprise • Dencom Construction Works • Edmus Limited • Jomaks • Espab Construction Limited • Roger More Construction Limited • Velech Enterprise • Intermec Gh. Limited • A.J.I. Trading & Construction Limited

    Customs Division of Ghana Revenue Authority

    Following the publication by the Office of an investigation report on 3 August 2022 in respect of a complaint against Labianca Company Limited and the Customs Division of Ghana Revenue Authority, the Special Prosecutor directed the commencement of a wider investigation into the issuance of customs advance rulings and markdowns of benchmark values.

    Investigation is also ongoing in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding the auction sales of vehicles and other goods by the Customs Division between 1 July 2016 and 15 August 2022.

    Airbus SE

    Investigation is ongoing in respect of alleged bribery by Airbus SE, a European multinational aerospace corporation, regarding the sale and purchase of military aircrafts for the Republic. The Office is engaged with INTERPOL and the central authorities of the United Kingdom and the United States under the mutual legal assistance regime.

    Bank of Ghana

    Investigation is ongoing in respect of the banking and financial sector crisis that precipitated the collapse of some banks and financial institutions and the financial sector clean up and recapitalisation reforms.

    The investigation targets alleged corruption and corruption-related offences perpetrated by some officials of the Bank of Ghana, banks, specialised deposit-taking institutions, and financial holding companies.

    Ghana Police Service

    Investigation is ongoing in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences in regarding the recruitment exercise of Course 51 of Cadet Officers Training at the Ghana Police Academy.

    The investigation targets specific cases of alleged corruption and corruption-related offences and acts of the use of office for profit, abuse of office, abuse of power, favouritism, nepotism, victimisation and the selection of unqualified persons.

    Estate of Kwadwo Owusu-Afriyie alias Sir John

    Investigation is ongoing in respect of alleged improper acquisition of state protected land at the Achimota Forest enclave and the Sakumono Ramsar site by the deceased former Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission.

    Following the refusal by the High Court, Accra to affirm the freezing order issued by the Special Prosecutor, the Office appealed to the Court of Appeal, Civil Division, Accra for a reversal of the decision of the High Court to facilitate the investigation and the final resolution of the matter.

    Other Cases

    The Office is also investigating one hundred and fifty (150) other cases at various levels of consideration. These would be publicised if the Special Prosecutor determines that they are within the mandate of the Office and that they should be moved past the preliminary investigation stage.

    This is a policy intended to protect the privacy of individuals and the business operations of institutions and companies, and to avoid unnecessary stigmatisation.

  • We can arrest you without a warrant – OSP declares

    We can arrest you without a warrant – OSP declares

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor has served notice that can arrest without a warrant, any person it reasonably suspects of having committed corruption or corruption-related offences.

    This is in exercise of its police powers, a statement issued by the OSP on Thursday said.

    The notice follows orders of a High Court restraining the OSP from executing a an arrest warrant against Charles Onuawonto Bissue, secretary of the erstwhile Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining.

    Justice Nicholas MC Abodakpi of the Human Rights Court 2, on Thursday and following an application by lawyers of Mr Bissue made an order for Interim Injunction restraining the OSP its agents, assigns and/or persons howsoever described and claiming through it from:

    • Executing an arrest warrant against Charles Bissue
    • Applying for further arrest warrants pending the determination of the substantive matter against Mr. Bissue.
    • Publishing notices purporting Mr. Bissue to be wanted pending the determination of the substantive matter.

    The orders last for 10 days.

  • Fugitive treatment unfortunate but I’ll avail myself – Charles Bissue

    Former Secretary of the defunct Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining, Charles Bissue says it is unfortunate that the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has published his photo as a wanted man as though he is a fugitive.

    He explained that he’s in the country and not on the run.

    “I am within the jurisdiction, it is unfortunate that my photos have gone out as though I were a fugitive but that is not the case. So everyone should calm down. I will go so that the truth is revealed,” he said.

    Mr. Bissue’s comments come after the Special Prosecutor on Tuesday declared him a wanted person.

    This comes days after the Office of the Special Prosecutor secured an order from the court to arrest him.

    This order was secured after Mr Bissue failed to honour an invitation by the Special Prosecutor last month.

    Despite the order, the former Presidential staffer’s lawyer had insisted that his client will not turn himself in.

    Speaking in an interview on Asempa FM’s Eko Sii Sen on Tuesday, Mr Bissue said will avail himself for the Special Prosecutor to furnish him with the information he wanted. According to him, he has nothing to hide.

    He noted that going to meet the Special Prosecutor or any agency he’ll be invited for questioning “is an opportunity to redeem my image more.”

    Mr Bissue said he knows and understands the law, adding that “I have been to the Special Prosecutor twice during Martin Amidu’s tenure, I went to NIB twice and CID and provided whichever question was asked.”

    When asked why it has taken him so long to respond to the OSP’s invitation, a delay that pushed the Special Prosecutor to declare him wanted, Charles Bissue said that he was not in Accra at the time of the invitation, and therefore responded to avail himself the following week.

    He added that he wrote to the OSP to explain he had an emergency to attend to, but the Special Prosecutor insisted he shows up the same day, adding that it was during that same time the warrant was issued for his arrest.

  • I’m not afraid to go to jail – Prof Frimpong-Boateng

    I’m not afraid to go to jail – Prof Frimpong-Boateng

    Professor Frimpong-Boateng, a distinguished scientist and former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, has expressed his unwavering resolve and fearlessness in the face of the possibility of jail time. This declaration highlights his commitment to his principles and suggests a willingness to face the consequences for his actions.

    He noted that he is not an angel, but if the only thing that worries authority, especially those who are very powerful but lack political power, is to convict him, then they should continue.

    In response to his arrest and subsequent Ghc 2 million bail by the Special Prosecutor following investigations into the work of the Inter-Ministeriall Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), of which Prof Frimpong Boateng was head, he stated that he is not afraid of being convicted.

    Following his arrest and subsequent interrogation, he was informed that he required self-recognizance bail in the amount of GH2 million.

    He claimed that a friend of his who worked at the SP office was the one who stood in and had him bailed.

    Officers from the OSP followed him to his residence in accordance with the bail conditions, following which he was allowed to leave.

    According to the former minister, horrible things like corruption are happening everywhere, but he is being demonised and victimised.

    He, on the other hand, stated that he was unconcerned about going to jail.

    He said that his accusers killed even the Lord Jesus Christ.

    He made the remarks in an interview with Joy News on Wednesday, June 7, 2023.

    “I am not sacred. Why should I be scared? Even the son of God, Jesus Christ, the sinless one was convicted and killed. So if people want to kill you, they know what to do to kill you. This is what I want to say. If people who have the power to do things… they will know what to do because it happened to even the sinless one.

  • OSP must investigate IMCIM report and deal with culprits – Sam George

    OSP must investigate IMCIM report and deal with culprits – Sam George

    Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram Constituency, Sam Nartey George wants the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining report as authored by Prof Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng to be referred to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

    He raised concerns over the failure of President Akufo-Addo to refer the Chairman of the dissolved Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, report to the Office of the Special Prosecutor.

    According to him, the stature of the respected cardio surgeon ought to influence leadership to take the 36-page report more seriously.

    “This is something that should have been referred to the Special Prosecutor by now,” he stated.

    Sam George was speaking on TV3‘s The Keypoints on Saturday, April 22 as the report came up for discussion.

    He also raised concerns over the failure of the Chief of Staff or the President to call any of the persons cited in the report.

  • OSP files 11 new charges against NDA CEO

    OSP files 11 new charges against NDA CEO

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has filed 11 new charges against the former Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Development Authority, (NDA) his two deputies, and a private contractor.

    Mr. Sumaila Abdul-Rahman, Chief Executive of NDA, and three others namely Stephen Yir-eru Engmen, Deputy Chief Executive (Operations), Patrick Seidu Deputy Chief Executive (Finance & Administration) and Andrew Kuundaari, Chief Executive of A&QS Consortium Limited, have been arraigned before the Tamale High Court presided by His Lordship Eric Ansah Ankomah for alleged breaches of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663).

    The OSP, which confirmed the 11 new charges in a tweet shared on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, indicated that all the accused persons pleaded not guilty.

    They were granted bail in the sum of GH¢2,000,000 on the condition that they will surrender their passports and not travel outside Ghana without informing the court.

    “The OSP today filed 11 new charges against former Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Development Authority, his two deputies and a private contractor. Accused persons have all been admitted to bail to the sum of GH¢ 2,000,000.

    “…upon the following conditions: submission of passport to the registry of High Court and not to leave the jurisdiction without informing the court and (3) each accused to produce 2 sureties with an undertaking to pay the bail sum of GH¢ 2, 000,000,” parts of the tweet read.

    “Prosecution to file disclosures by April 18, 2023. Case Management Conference has been fixed for May 2, 2023, with the possibility to open Prosecution’s case that same day,” the OSP added.

    Background:

    The OSP, in January 2023, charged Sumaila Abdul-Rahman and his two deputies, Stephen Yir-eru Engmen, the deputy CEO in charge of operations and Patrick Seidu, the deputy CEO in charge of finance and administration, for alleged corruption.

    Also charged with the three is Andrew Kuundaari, the Chief Executive of A&QS Consortium Limited, a private consultancy firm.

    The four were charged with conspiracy to directly or indirectly influence the procurement process to obtain an unfair advantage in the award of a procurement contract.

    In a series of tweets shared on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, the OSP said that the four accused persons were granted bail after they pleaded not guilty in their first court appearance in the Northern Regional capital, Tamale.

  • NABCO beneficiaries petition Special Prosecutors Office over arrears

    NABCO beneficiaries petition Special Prosecutors Office over arrears

    The Aggrieved Nations Builders Corps (NaBCo) Trainees Association wants Special Prosecutor has petitioned the Office of Special Prosecutor to intervene in their attempts to retrieve their allowance.

    According to the group, the government owes them nine months of allowance in arrears.

    “The leadership of the aggrieved NaBCo Trainees Association (ANTA) petitions your good self as a Special Prosecutor, as a matter of urgency, to respond swiftly and appropriately to demands concerning our nine months unpaid stipends since November 2021 and other outstanding arrears since the year 2019,” the association stated in a petition to the Special Prosecutor, co-signed by its Convenor, David Peterson, and two other members, Dose Daniel Kojo and Rowlan Jemhi.

    “We have in the past taken a number of steps to make headway regarding the payments of our arrears in question such as writing to NABCo Secretariat and organising several demonstrations, all to no avail,” the aggrieved trainees reminded the Special Prosecutor.

    The group thus urged the SP to “as a matter of urgency to order the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, to allocate funds for the payment” of their nine months’ stipends in arrears and “other outstanding arrears that have engulfed the NaBCo scheme since the year 2019 before Tuesday, 31 January 2023.”

    This comes on the back of what the group describes as their failed attempts to get the government to pay the arrears.

    “This is the umpteenth time we are reminding the government that beneficiaries of NaBCo are still owed eight (8) months of their stipends,” a statement signed by the National President NABTAG, Dennis Opoku Katakyie on Monday, January 16, 2023, noted.

    “Current payment that was made to cover December 2021, still has some validated trainees not receiving theirs coupled with reposted GRA trainees also being unattended to.

    “We will be forced to stage our next massive picketing at the Ministry of Finance to demand all arrears if the government fails to pay us as soon as possible,” the statement added.

    The government of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2017 introduced the NABCO programme to address the issue of graduate unemployment in the country.

    The initiative was run under seven modules: Educate Ghana, Heal Ghana, Feed Ghana, Revenue Ghana, Digitize Ghana, Enterprise Ghana, and Civic Ghana.

    However, the NABCO programme was brought to an end some three years after it was implemented.

    The aftermath has seen hundreds of beneficiaries complain about the government owing them several months of arrears and failed attempts to receive payments.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee demands increase in funds allocated to Special Prosecutor

    Parliament’s Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs want the Finance Ministry to as a matter of urgency address all outstanding issues relating to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and increase budget allocation for the OSP.

    The Committee deems the allocation of GH₵129.5 million to the OSP insufficient for recruitment and the effective running of the office.

    Out of the budgeted total amount of ₵129.5 million, ₵68.9million is to be used as compensation and about ₵34million is to be used for goods and services while ₵26 million is budgeted for stationery for the work of the OSP.

    According to JoyNews Parliamentary Affairs Correspondent, Kwaku Asante the Office of the Special Prosecutor in a meeting with the Committee complained that the funds allocated are insufficient as it intends to recruit more lawyers and other personnel.

    He added that officials of the Finance Ministry are expected to be in the House on Wednesday, to brief Parliament on why such an amount was allocated to the OSP.

    Parliament has so far not approved any estimate allocated for any Ministry, Department or Agency in the 2023 Budget.

    Meanwhile, the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, has warned that Ministers of State who absent themselves from Parliament will not have their budgets approved.

    The Minority insists the Ministers must be present during the debate.

    “I further warn that ministers who want their budgets’ approval must appear in person. If you delegate your deputy we will delegate your money for you some other day after appropriation. If they send emissaries to come for approval of budget estimates, we will send their approval to them the day they are available. So whip, make sure you have your estimates ready,” he said on the floor on Wednesday.

    Source: myjoyonline

  • FULL TEXT: Office of the Special Prosecutor releases 2022 half-year report

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) spearheaded by Kissi Agyebeng has given an account of its activities during the first half of 2022.

    The Half Yearly Report released in August 2022 names the specific corruption and corruption-related activities that have drawn the attention of the OSP.

    Section 3(3) of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959) mandates the Office of the Special Prosecutor to publish, on a half yearly basis, the list of corruption cases investigated and prosecuted by the Office and the number of acquittals, convictions and pending cases and the value of any recovered proceeds.

    According to the 13-page document signed by Kissi Agyebeng, the OSP remains focused and innovative on its four-way mandate of investigating corruption and corruption-related offences, prosecuting suspected offenders, taking steps to prevent corruption, and recovering the proceeds of corruption and corruption-related offences.

    Read the full report below:

    Half Yearly Report August 2022 by ogbarmey-tettey andy on Scribd