By Rebecca Ampah
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has filed 78 counts of corruption and corruption-related offences against former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and seven others in connection with the controversial Strategic Mobilization Ghana Limited (SML) contract.
The accused persons are expected to begin their trial today at Criminal Court 5 in Accra.
According to the OSP’s prosecution summary, the charges include corruption, abuse of office, and violations of public revenue and procurement procedures.
The individuals and entities charged include:
• Emmanuel Kofi Nti, former Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) – 39 counts
• Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta, former Minister of Finance – 28 counts
• Isaac Crentsil, former Commissioner of the Customs Division, GRA – 19 counts
• Evans Adusei, Chief Executive of SML – 19 counts
• Ernest Darko Akore, former Chief of Staff to the Finance Minister – 12 counts
• Ammishaddai Owusu Amoah, former GRA Commissioner-General – 10 counts
• Kwadwo Damoah, MP for Jaman South and former Commissioner of Customs – 8 counts
• Strategic Mobilization Ghana Ltd (corporate entity) – 18 counts
The OSP says the filing of the charges follows extensive investigations into the SML revenue assurance contract awarded under the Ministry of Finance and the GRA.
