ACCRA, Nov 18 (The African Portal) – Ghana’s former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has been charged alongside Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) and six other individuals with corruption and corruption-related offences.
A total of 78 counts have been filed by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
Those charged include:
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Ernest Darko Akore, 67, former Chef de Cabinet to the Minister of Finance
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Emmanuel Kofi Nti, 66, former Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA)
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Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, 64, former Commissioner-General of the GRA
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Isaac Crentsil, 63, former Commissioner of the Customs Division of the GRA
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Kwadwo Damoah, 65, former Commissioner of the Customs Division of the GRA
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Evans Adusei, 62, described as the beneficial owner, CEO and controlling mind of SML
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The company Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML), formerly Strategic Mobilisation Enhancement Ltd
Scrutiny over government contracts
The case stems from investigations into a series of contracts awarded to SML.
President John Mahama on 31 October ordered the immediate termination of all contracts between government and SML following the conclusion of the OSP probe.
The government said the termination forms part of efforts to reinforce accountability and transparency in the use of public resources.
Months of public scrutiny over the SML deals had prompted the OSP to formally open a corruption investigation.
The Finance Minister has been tasked to ensure the termination process complies fully with existing financial and legal procedures.
OSP seeks extradition
The latest charges follow what the OSP described as unsuccessful attempts to get the former minister, who is currently outside the country, to appear in person for interrogation.
The OSP says efforts are now under way to extradite Mr Ofori-Atta to face justice.
Alleged “criminal enterprise”
Court documents outline what prosecutors describe as a “criminal enterprise” allegedly operating between 2017 and 2024.
According to the OSP, senior public officials conspired with SML to defraud the state of more than GHS 1.4 billion. The alleged scheme focused on:
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Illegal procurement — awarding contracts to SML through single-source procurement without the required approvals from the Public Procurement Authority Board and, in some cases, Parliament
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False pretences — securing contracts using claims about SML’s technical expertise, financial strength and ownership of proprietary technology from multinational firm COTECNA S.A., which prosecutors say were untrue
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Payments for no work done — placing SML on “automatic payment mode”, resulting in huge payments without evidence of delivery or performance
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Abuse of office — senior officials allegedly using public office for the private benefit of SML and its owner, Evans Adusei
Prosecutors say an additional contract for upstream petroleum and minerals audit, valued at an estimated US$2.8 billion, was signed and poised to begin payments before it was halted.
