The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has formally filed charges against former Finance Minister Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta, Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML), and six other individuals, accusing them of corruption and related offences.
In total, 78 counts of corruption and corruption-related offences have been leveled against the group. The other defendants include Ernest Darko Akore (67), Chef de Cabinet to the Finance Minister; Emmanuel Kofi Nti (66), former Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA); Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah (64), former Commissioner-General of GRA; Isaac Crentsil (63), former Commissioner of the Customs Division of GRA; Kwadwo Damoah (65), former Commissioner of the Customs Division of GRA; Evans Adusei (62), CEO and beneficial owner of SML; and the company itself, Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (formerly Strategic Mobilisation Enhancement Ltd).
On October 31, President John Mahama directed the immediate cancellation of all contracts with SML after the OSP concluded its investigation. The government explained that the decision was part of its broader commitment to accountability and transparency in the management of public resources.
The contracts had been under months of scrutiny, eventually becoming the subject of the OSP’s corruption probe. The Finance Ministry has since been tasked with ensuring that the termination process is carried out in line with existing financial and legal procedures.
The OSP noted that this latest action follows unsuccessful attempts to secure Mr. Ofori-Atta’s physical presence for questioning, as he is currently outside the country. Efforts are now underway to extradite him to face trial.
According to prosecutors, the case involves a sophisticated and long-running scheme in which senior officials allegedly colluded with SML to defraud the state of more than GHS 1.4 billion through contracts awarded and payments made for services that were never delivered.
The alleged conspiracy, described as a “criminal enterprise,” is said to have spanned from 2017 to 2024. Key elements include:
- Illegal Procurement: Contracts awarded to SML through single-source procurement without approval from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) Board or Parliament.
- False Pretences: Misrepresentations about SML’s technical expertise, financial capacity, and supposed partnership with multinational firm COTECNA S.A.
- Payment for No Service: Automatic payments made to SML without verification of performance or evidence of work done.
- Abuse of Office: Public officials allegedly exploiting their positions for the private gain of SML and its owner, Evans Adusei.
The charges also detail the financial losses incurred by the state, including contracts already executed and a potential future loss of nearly US$2.8 billion from an upstream petroleum and minerals audit contract that was signed but halted before payments commenced.
Leave a Reply