On December 13, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) released an updated list of former appointees under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo currently undergoing criminal trials.
The social media post outlined four distinct cases involving a total of six individuals. Among them are a former sanitation minister, chief executives of significant state agencies, and a nominee for a prominent local-level office.
Highlighting the longevity of these legal proceedings, the OSP indicated that the oldest case dates back to August 2021.
The charges against these individuals primarily revolve around allegations of “corruption and corruption-related offences.”
This disclosure sheds light on ongoing efforts to address corruption within the former administration, underscoring the commitment of the OSP to pursue legal action in such matters.
“These cases are different from OSP interim applications, where the courts have barred the office from making arrests, conducting investigations, or seizing assets of the individuals implicated as suspects and respondents,” the OSP clarified in the post.
Below are brief details of each of the respective cases:
The Republic vs. Alexander Kwabena Sarfo Kantanka
The prosecution has concluded presenting its case in the trial of the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) nominee for Juaben in the Ashanti Region.
The charges against him include 26 counts of corruption related to a public election. The court is set to decide on the defence’s ‘no case’ submission on January 23, 2024.
In another case, titled “The Republic vs. Sumaila Abdul Rahman and 3 others,” the prosecution has wrapped up its case in the corruption scandal involving the Northern Development Authority.
The former Chief Executive Officer, along with his two deputies and a private contractor, faces 11 charges related to a bloated contract for a poverty eradication program exceeding five million cedis.
The prosecution called upon 10 witnesses during the proceedings. The defence is expected to submit their ‘no case’ response by January 4, 2024, with the prosecution set to respond by January 25, 2024. The case has been adjourned to February 12, 2024, for mention.
The Republic vs. Adjenim Boateng
The trial of the former Chief Executive of the Public Procurement Authority and his brother-in-law is ongoing before the Criminal Division of the High Court in Accra.
Mr. Adjei has been charged on multiple counts of using public office for profit and directly and indirectly influencing the procurement process to obtain an unfair advantage in the award of public contracts, while his brother-in-law, Francis Kwaku Arhin, has been charged with one (1) count of using public office for profit.
Case adjourned to March 4, 2024 for the continuation of cross-examination of the first prosecution witness.
The Republic vs. Cecilia Abena Dapaah
[Refusal to declare property and income as demanded by the OSP]
Plea of the accused yet to be taken. Docket has yet to be assigned to a new judge. The case was adjourned to December 22, 2023.