The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has revealed that its outfit is currently investigating over 70 corruption and corruption-related cases.
In its Half Yearly Report published on August 1, 2022, the OSP indicated that the Airbus SE scandal, banking and financial sector crisis, recruitment to cadet officers training at the Ghana Police Academy, estate of Kwadwo Owusu-Afriyie and the Northern Development Authority (NDA) contract to A&Qs Consortium are among the cases it is currently investigating.
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.
Airbus SE
Airbus SE case looks at the alleged bribery by the European multinational aerospace corporation with regards to the sale and purchase of military aircrafts for the Republic.
It is alleged that Airbus SE swayed government officials and other decision-makers on airplane sales, boosting profit by more than $1 billion.
The corporation, per reports from Bloomberg, is facing a 300 million euro ($340 million) lawsuit from a group of investors over allegations it failed to properly disclose a sprawling corruption scandal and subsequent settlement.
According to the OSP, it is currently the INTERPOL and the central authorities of the United Kingdom and the
United States under the mutual legal assistance regime.
Banking and Financial Sector Crisis
Between August 2017 and January 2020, the Government embarked on a banking sector cleanup exercise to reinforce Ghana’s banking sector confidence.
The exercise led to the collapse of some banks and financial institutions.
In the 2020 budget statement, government stated that the clean-up cost GHS11.7 billion. There have been claims that some corrupt activities took place during the cleanup exercise.
On 25 January 2022, the Special Prosecutor announced the commencement of investigation into the banking and financial sector crisis.
The OSP is investigating some officials of the Bank of Ghana, banks, specialised deposit-taking institutions, and financial holding companies.
Half Yearly Report August 2022 by ogbarmey-tettey andy on Scribd
Recruitment to Cadet Officers Training at the Ghana Police Academy
The recruitment of Course 51 Cadet Officers into the Ghana Police Academy drew the attention of the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, following complaints that the personnel in charge, exhibited favouritism and other unacceptable conducts during the process.
On 17 March 2022, the Special Prosecutor commenced investigations into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences in respect of the recruitment exercise.
According to the OSP, its investigations target specific cases of alleged corruption and corruption-related offences 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
The will of Former Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, popularly known as Sir John, came to light after it was reported that he had acquired some state lands before his passing.
Portions of the Achimota Forest and Ramsar catchment at Sakumono in Accra are among the properties claimed to be owned by Sir John.
The numerous properties owned by the late Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie became a subject for discussion earlier this year.
On 26 May 2022, the Special Prosecutor announced that his uniform has commenced investigations into the matter.
While investigation was ongoing, Mr Kissi Agyebeng directed the freezing of the estate of Sir John. On 9 June, 2022, the Special Prosecutor applied to the High Court, Financial Division, Accra for a confirmation of the freezing order.
The High Court refused the application, but on 19 July 2022, the Special Prosecutor filed a Notice of Appeal to the Court of Appeal, Civil Division, Accra against the decision of the High Court.
Northern Development Authority
The Office of the Special Prosecutor is investigating a contract awarded to A&Qs Consortium for consultancy services by the Northern Development Authority (NDA) under the Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme (IPEP), especially in respect of the quantum of the contract sum.
Mr Kissi Agyebeng in July directed the Controller and Accountant General to immediately freeze payments arising from the contract.
Other Cases
The Office of Special Prosecutor is also investigating 70 other cases at various levels of consideration.
Information on these cases according to the Half Yearly Report, will be publicized should the Special Prosecutor
determines that they are within the mandate of the Office and “that they should be moved past the preliminary investigation stage.”
The decision by the OSP is meant to protect the privacy of individuals and the business operations of institutions and companies, and also to avoid unnecessary stigmatisation.
Source: The Independent GhanaÂ