Presiding judge, Her Ladyship Evelyn Asamoah, charged Amadotor with two counts: publication of false news with intent to cause fear and panic, contrary to Section 208(1) of the Criminal Offences Act (Act 29), and publication of false news under Section 123 of the Electronic Transactions Act (Act 772).

The accused pleaded not guilty to both charges.

According to the police, Amadotor was arrested at his home after allegedly posting stories and videos online that purportedly damaged the reputation of Ababio.

After hearing submissions from the prosecution and the defence, the court granted bail, though no specific justification for the decision was provided in the ruling.

Speaking after the hearing, Amadotor’s lawyer, Jerry Avenorgbo, welcomed the court’s decision.

The trial is expected to continue following Amadotor’s release on bail.

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According to the Command, investigations so far indicate that no robbery report has been lodged in connection with the alleged incident.

The circulating video, which suggested an attack on travellers by armed men, has caused widespread concern, but police say there is no evidence to support the claim.

Checks conducted across police stations in the Bono Region and nationwide, as well as inquiries with the Ghana Armed Forces, revealed no record of any robbery on the stated date.

“The preliminary checks, both locally and nationally, have shown that there have been no reports of a robbery in the area on the specified date,” the statement noted.

In a release issued on November 20, the police urged anyone with credible information regarding the claim to contact the nearest station, stressing that accurate details are crucial for proper investigations.

The Service also disclosed that its Cyber Crime Unit has begun tracking the source of the video, warning that individuals found spreading false information will face legal action.

The Command encouraged the public to verify claims before sharing content online, noting that unverified reports can create unnecessary fear and disrupt public order.

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In a Facebook post shared shortly after the incident, he noted that the attack occurred less than 30 minutes before he made the update.

He listed the stolen items as his MacBook, iPad, Google Pixel 9, GH₵9,500 in cash, credit cards, house keys, two wallets, Sony headphones, and a number of books. He ended the message with a brief “Hmmm,” reflecting his shock and disappointment.

Several hours later, he returned with a surprising update: the Google Pixel had been found, though badly damaged. According to him, the device may have slipped from the robber during the escape and was later run over by a vehicle, leaving it completely destroyed.

Barker-Vormawor has yet to explain the circumstances surrounding the attack or indicate whether the case has been reported to the police.

The development has triggered concern online, with many calling for stronger security measures along major routes in the city.

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The victim, identified as Celestine, was reportedly assaulted by her father, Issah Mohammed, and her stepmother, Yaa Grace, after the stepmother informed him of the alleged incident when he returned from work.

Information gathered indicates that Issah had earlier divorced Celestine’s biological mother over repeated acts of abuse and was now living with his new partner, who is also a suspect in the case.

Eyewitnesses told Adom News that Issah used a cane, shovel, and cutlass to beat the young girl, resulting in severe internal injuries.

They added that the couple locked Celestine in a separate room without food or water, where she died the following day.

Suspicious neighbours reported the matter to the police, leading to the couple’s arrest.

A relative of Celestine’s biological mother, Justina Acquah, expressed outrage, saying Issah had a long history of abusive behaviour and called for justice for the deceased.

The Kokrobite District Police Command has begun investigations, while the body has been deposited at the Police Hospital for autopsy.

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In a unanimous judgement on Thursday, November 20, the three-member panel held that the trial judge, Justice Mariama Owusu, then Justice of the Supreme Court, sitting with additional responsibility as a High Court Judge, misdirected the jury to arrive at a guilty verdict for the assemblyman. 

“The midsection of the High Court judge was grave. The jury would not have returned a verdict of guilt if they had been properly directed,” the court held.

Specifically, the court held that the court erred when it relied on the cautioned statements of two of the accused persons incriminating the assemblyman.

The court was of the view that the cautioned statement of an accused person which implicated another accused person should be made in the presence of the one the statement implicates, adding that the cautioned statement could only be used against the accused person making the statement and not a co-accused. 

“The Judge was bound to disregard the incriminating statements when directing the jury,” the court said. 

In addition to this, the court held that the statements of two of the accused persons, which the court relied on, were full of inconsistencies and suspicions.

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The incident, portions of which were captured in a viral video, has generated widespread outrage.

According to Harriet, she moved out of the marital home months earlier due to persistent abuse. But on November 15, she received a call from her husband, John Odartey Lamptey, claiming their youngest child was seriously ill.

Speaking to Accra-based TV3, she said she immediately travelled from her village to Accra, only to find the children playing in good health. She added that Lamptey later admitted he fabricated the story just to lure her back.

Later that night, he allegedly demanded sex, which she refused, explaining that they had been separated for five months.

“I told him I would return to my village at dawn if that was the reason he had insisted I come back,” she said.

But tensions escalated the next morning when Lamptey allegedly blocked her from approaching the children and threatened to kill her.

“He sent the children out of the room, locked the door and launched a violent attack, stripping me, beating me with a stick, stepping on me, and at one point wielding a knife while threatening to cut my hand,” she recounted in tears.

Harriet further alleged that Lamptey smeared pepper between her thighs and private parts and forcibly had sex with her.

A neighbour, identified as Oketeku, reportedly intervened at a point by persuading Lamptey to unlock the door and taking the knife away. However, Lamptey allegedly drove him out and resumed the assault.

The victim noted that this was not the first time she had suffered abuse. She said she had previously lodged complaints at the Tesano and Ofankor police stations, backed by evidence, yet no action was taken.

Lamptey was arrested on November 17 at the family home, along with two of his siblings — Grace Kushie Lamptey and Louis Odartey Lamptey — who allegedly attempted to attack a female tenant they suspected of recording and circulating the video.

All three have been remanded by the Magistrate Court at the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit and are expected to reappear on December 3, 2025.

However, police say they are still working to locate the victim, who reportedly left the residence after the incident.

The police are urging the public to provide any credible information that could assist investigations.

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The Magistrate Court at the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit ordered that all three suspects remain in custody while police continue their investigations.

The primary suspect, John Odartey Lamptey, also known as Nii Adjei, faces a charge of Physical Assault under Sections 1(b)(i) and 3(2) of the Domestic Violence Act, 2007 (Act 732).

Two others, Louis Odartey Lamptey and Grace Kushie Lamptey, have been charged with conspiracy to commit harm. Police allege that the pair attempted to confront a female tenant they suspected of filming and sharing the assault video.

All three suspects are expected back in court on December 3, 2025.

Meanwhile, police say the woman who was assaulted has still not been located.

The public is being urged to assist in finding her, and anyone with useful information is encouraged to report to the nearest police station. Authorities have assured that all information provided will be treated confidentially.

The update was issued in a statement signed by Chief Inspector Brigitte Babanawo, Public Relations Officer for the Criminal Investigation Department.

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On Tuesday, November 18, the OSP filed 78 charges against eight individuals. The accused include former GRA Commissioners-General Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah and Emmanuel Kofi Nti, senior officials Isaac Crentsil and Kwadwo Damoa, former Finance Ministry Technical Advisor Ernest Akore, SML owner Evans Adusei, and SML itself.

According to the OSP, months of investigative work uncovered alleged corruption, abuse of office, and procurement breaches in the award and execution of the SML–GRA contracts. Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng has maintained that evidence gathered “points to criminal conduct” at several stages of the contracting process.

Speaking in an interview on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News, Mr Kpebu said he no longer has confidence in the Special Prosecutor’s ability to effectively prosecute the former finance minister.

He accused Agyebeng of failing to arrest Ofori-Atta despite allegedly being aware of his travel arrangements, insisting that such an oversight makes him unfit for the task.

Kpebu also called for the removal of Sammy Darko, Director of Strategy, Research and Communication at the OSP, and Albert Akurugu, the office’s Lead Investigator.

“The Office of the Special Prosecutor should stay, but Kissi Agyebeng must go. Albert Akurugu and Sammy Darko should get out of that office. Sammy Darko runs errands for Kissi Agyebeng. If Kissi Agyebeng is leaving, his right-hand men must follow him.

“They will be moles if left there. Kissi Agyebeng has to go; we can never trust him. You see the number one suspect and you allow him to escape,” he argued.

Residents have accused a police officer of fatally shooting Nawutoh Isah during what they describe as an attempt to extort money from him. The community says the officer responsible has not been publicly identified, leaving the bereaved family without clarity or updates.

In an interview with Adom News, residents expressed frustration over what they believe is an attempt to conceal the truth.

They insist that authorities must act swiftly, warning that they may take matters into their own hands if justice continues to be delayed.

Najim Benjamin, spokesperson for the Assemblyman for the Gbentiri Electoral Area, added that communication challenges have worsened tensions.

He criticised the regional police for issuing statements without proper investigation, noting that earlier information shared by the authorities was later found to be inaccurate, with no retraction made.

Residents are calling on the government, security agencies, and other stakeholders to intervene and ensure transparency, accountability, and justice for the deceased.

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Addressing journalists in Accra on Tuesday, November 18, Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak described the figures as alarming, noting that they closely mirror last year’s trend.

“The statistics are not looking good at all. In 2024, there were 1,219 reported robbery cases and 552 murder cases. As of July this year, there have been 628 robbery and 340 murder cases respectively,” he said.

After consultations with the Ghana Police Service, the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, other security agencies, traditional authorities, religious groups, and civil society organisations, the government has announced a Gun Amnesty Programme.

The initiative, which the Minister described as a “bold and compassionate step,” seeks to reduce the circulation of illicit firearms and improve public safety. The amnesty will allow individuals to surrender illegal weapons without facing prosecution.

Minister Mubarak stressed that the success of the programme will depend largely on public cooperation and urged communities nationwide to support the effort toward building a safer Ghana.

The Ministry described the act as cruel, unacceptable, and a clear violation of her rights.

In a statement, it stressed that no form of abuse is justifiable.

“We strongly condemn this barbaric act in its strongest terms. This act infringes on the victim’s rights, and it is highly punishable by law,” the statement noted.

The statement also indicated that the sector Minister, Agnes Naa MoMo Lartey, has contacted the Ghana Police Service, urging a full investigation to ensure accountability and justice for the victim.

Calling domestic and gender-based violence a national concern, the Ministry encouraged the public to promptly report such incidents. It reaffirmed its commitment to working with relevant agencies to ensure perpetrators face legal consequences.

Citizens have been advised to remain vigilant and report suspected abuse cases through the Domestic Violence Call Centre, the Ministry’s Helpline of Hope, or directly to the nearest police station.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service has confirmed the arrest of the suspect, identified as John Odartey Lamptey.

According to the CID, two of his siblings, Grace Kushie Lamptey and Louis Odartey Lamptey, were also arrested for allegedly attempting to attack a female tenant they suspected of recording and circulating the footage.

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The Court, presided over by Akosua Anokyewaa Adjepong, ordered that the sureties should be gainfully employed and earning not less than GHC2,000.00 a month. 

It asked Amartey to report every Tuesday to the Police investigator handling the case.  He has pleaded not guilty to defrauding by pretence and is to return to the Court on December 18. 

Giving the facts of the case, Police Chief Inspector Frederick Awuah-Ansah said.

Mr Eric Manteaw, the complainant, is a professional teacher and a resident of Asamankese. Amartey is also a professional teacher and resides in Jamestown.

He said in January 2024, the accused person approached the complainant with a promise to recruit prospective applicants into the Ghana Immigration Service and the Ghana National Fire Service.  

The complainant shared the information with family and friends and gathered 19 interested individuals who collectively paid GH¢150,000.00, which was forwarded to the accused person.  

However, Amartey failed to deliver on his promise and went into hiding, the prosecution said.  

Chief Inspector Awuah-Ansah said a complaint was later lodged with the Amasaman Police Station, leading to the arrest of the accused, who was arraigned after investigations. 

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The incident occurred as fire crews battled a blaze that swept through parts of a two-storey, eight-room house near Ability Square.

The attack left one firefighter with serious injuries.

In a statement, the Service said its officers tracked the suspect for several days before finally apprehending him.

He has since been handed over to the Ghana Police Service and is assisting with investigations.

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This was confirmed in a statement issued by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and signed by Chief Inspector Brigitte Babanawo on Tuesday, November 18.

Police identified the suspect as John Odartey Lamptey, who was picked up on Monday, November 17, 2025, at the family home after the video sparked widespread public outrage.

According to the CID, two of his siblings — Grace Kushie Lamptey and Louis Odartey Lamptey — were also arrested for allegedly attempting to attack a female tenant they suspected of recording and circulating the footage.

Officers intervened in time to rescue the tenant during the operation.

Investigators say efforts are underway to locate and safeguard the woman seen in the video, who fled the house before police arrived.

The statement reiterated the Service’s commitment to tackling domestic violence and ensuring that all offenders face the full rigours of the law.

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A youth leader in the community, Kojo Asare, confirmed the incident in an interview on Kumasi-based Akoma FM.

“We received a distress call from some neighbours who discovered the lifeless bodies, and upon getting to the scene, I saw two dead bodies with gun wounds and one other battling for his life,” he narrated.

One of the deceased, identified as Borga, was reportedly a leader of a group involved in violent activities.

Mr Asare explained that Borga appeared to have been shot by attackers, noting visible gunshot wounds to the head.

“The deceased himself was holding a gun at the scene, but he was also butchered, with his wrists cut off,” he added.

Meanwhile, Police have launched investigations into the cause of the clashes to determine the next line of action.

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According to reports, the infant is alleged to have been killed by the mother, who then disposed of the body by the riverside for reasons yet unknown.

Eyewitnesses told Adom News that by the time the body was discovered, animals had already begun feeding on it.

Nash Nyande, Director of the Awutu Senya East National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), said the police were immediately informed, and the corpse was retrieved and deposited at the Police Hospital mortuary.

Investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend the suspect.

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The coordinated exercise, which covers several communities including Hwidiem, Kenyasi, Goaso, and Mehame, aims to combat crime, maintain law and order, and enhance public safety.

According to police sources, the operation has so far “been progressing smoothly without any major incidents recorded.”

Earlier briefings indicated that about 30 men and women had been picked up at various locations, but the number has since risen to over 300 as the operation intensifies.

Police officials added that “details, including the profiles of the suspects and the specific offences, will be communicated in due course as the operation continues.”

Kingsley Kofi Kumi, 54 years and Kingsley Abeka, the 20-year-old son, who is a trader, pleaded not guilty to the charges of causing unlawful damage, assault and stealing, but were convicted after a full trial. 

They would serve two months imprisonment each, in default of the fine and were also ordered to compensate the complainant, Jennifer Sarpong, with GH¢2,000.00 cash. 

Police Chief Inspector David Opoku Kwabi, presenting the facts of the case to the court presided over by Hilder Esther Wryter, said the complainant was a trader who shared a common fence wall with the convicts at Buokrom Limex quarry, near Asokore-Mampong. 

He said on March 25, 2024, at about 11hours, Kingsley Kofi Kumi, the father, went to the complainant’s drinking spot and told her that his son, Abeka, had slaughtered her fowl, so she should come and collect it from their house. 

The complainant, however, disagreed and demanded payment for the fowl valued at GHc 70.00, by Abeka. 

Prosecution explained that Abeka, who was standing nearby, heard the complainant’s demand and started a quarrel with her. 

According to the prosecution, the complainant picked up her Samsung Galaxy A22 mobile phone and attempted to take a video of Abeka’s action, but the father rushed at her, took the phone valued at GHc 2,500.00, hit it on the ground and stepped on it. 

He again dragged the complainant into a gutter, held her braided hair and together with his son, assaulted her. 

According to the Prosecution, people around the community separated them, and a report was made to the Buokrom police, so they were arrested. 

In their caution statements, they denied stealing, assault and causing damage and stated that the complainant’s mobile phone fell into the gutter and got damaged after she attempted to take videos. 

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The accused, Millicent Asamoah Ampofo, has been charged with unlawful control of a narcotic drug.

The court heard that during an intelligence-led operation on November 5, 2025, personnel from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) arrested Millicent at her drinking spot in Taifa.

A search of the premises led to the discovery of 47 plastic bottles of sobolo, 20 bottles of mango drink, 23 bottles of unidentified liquid substances, and a blue mini drum containing liquid substances.

Also retrieved were two plastic containers of dried plant material, two rubber bags containing powdery substances, and 180 pieces of hard brown toffees.

All the items are suspected to contain cannabis.

According to the prosecution, Millicent admitted ownership of the items during her caution statement and mentioned a supplier identified only as “Richard,” based in Accra.

She confessed to preparing and selling the drinks and toffees, pricing the sobolo at GH₵5 per bottle, the mango drink at GH₵20, and the toffees at GH₵5 each.

Her plea was not taken, as the suspected substances have been sent to the Police Forensic Science Laboratory for analysis.

While the prosecution did not oppose bail, it requested conditions to ensure the accused’s attendance in court.

The presiding judge, Mr. Kwabena Kodua Obiri-Yeboah, granted Millicent bail in the sum of GH₵50,000 with one surety and directed the prosecution to file its disclosures.

Efforts are underway to arrest the said Richard.

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Security officials confirmed that the arrest occurred on Monday, November 10, 2025, around 6:06 p.m., following a planned meeting between Zakari and NAIMOS operatives, who had been monitoring him for several weeks.

This came after he attempted to negotiate the release of his arrested accomplices and stop ongoing investigations into his activities.

According to sources, Zakari had tried to influence the probe into his galamsey operations within the Osino Residential Area while seeking the release of his detained accomplices.

The arrest follows a November 7 raid on one of Zakari’s mining sites by NAIMOS, which led to the apprehension of 32 Nigerien nationals and four Ghanaian guards armed with machetes.

Officials say Zakari has since been handed over to the Ghana Police Service to assist with further investigations.

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According to the Board, the arrests followed weeks of coordinated intelligence and surveillance aimed at clamping down on unlicensed gold operations.

The suspects, comprising both Ghanaian and foreign nationals, were apprehended in two separate operations conducted at Dome Pillar 2 and Achimota-Akweteman in Accra on November 5 and 6, 2025.

At a press briefing in Accra on Monday, November 10, 2025, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of GGB, Richard Nunekpeku, disclosed that the first operation led to the arrest of five individuals—four Indians and one Ghanaian—at a jewellery shop in Dome Pillar 2.

The suspects are alleged to have been fabricating and trading gold without authorization, in violation of Section 23(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), and Sections 26(3) and (5) of the Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140).

Items recovered during the operation included 26 GRA moissante emerald stones, 19 rings suspected to be gold, six pieces of 10-karat yellowish metal, several mobile phones, a CCTV decoder, and a locked metallic safe.

In a separate operation at Legend Precious Metals in Achimota-Akweteman, 20 more suspects were arrested for similar offences involving unlicensed gold trading, smuggling, and assaying.

Those arrested include both local and foreign nationals from Belarus, the United Kingdom, the United States, Argentina, Sweden, and Russia.

Authorities recovered eight gold bars, $112,500 in cash, GH₵64,014, and several documents, including sales agreements, assay reports, and receipts. Some suspects were also found with unlicensed firearms, which have since been confiscated.

The Ghana Gold Board reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing strict compliance within the gold sector and urged the public to verify the status of licensed dealers through its official website.

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Mr. Odame-Darkwa is the first prosecution witness in the $2 million financial loss case involving former GIIF CEO Solomon Asamoah and former Board Chair Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi. The two are accused of disbursing funds for work that was not completed and without Board approval.

Testifying on Monday, November 10, Odame-Darkwa said the project was only briefly mentioned at one meeting but was never deliberated upon, recommended by the Investment Committee, or formally approved by the Board.

The former board member, who served from 2017 to 2020, said he first learned of the alleged US$2 million payment linked to the Sky Train project after reading the Auditor-General’s report.

He emphasised that “a due diligence report should have been presented to the Board before any approval for disbursement,” but no such report was ever submitted.

Odame-Darkwa further asserted that minutes purporting to show Board discussions or approvals of the Sky Train project “do not accurately reflect the Board’s deliberations or decisions.”

He maintained that during his tenure, he acted “in the best interest of the Republic of Ghana” and would not have approved any disbursement without proper due diligence.

While the GIIF Board approved funding for several legitimate infrastructure projects under his term, the Sky Train concept was never formally proposed or sanctioned for funding.

“To the best of my recollection, the Board did not approve any funding for the Sky Train project during the period of my service,” he stated.

He explained that tighter financial regulations within the banking sector have made it difficult for individuals to carry out suspicious transactions through traditional banks, leading many to shift toward mobile money services.

“The banks have tightened their regulations. The Fintech and Innovations Department of the Bank of Ghana and the Financial Stability Department are very strict on financial transactions. Indeed, what I know, in Ghana today, you can’t give a third party a cheque of more than GHC5,000,” he stated.

Mr. Twum-Boafo further noted that foreign currency transactions are now under closer scrutiny. “As we speak, you can’t even transfer foreign currency to an individual without certain checks on the individual. So, they are very strict,” he added.

He cautioned that the semi-anonymous and virtual nature of mobile money systems makes them an attractive option for money launderers. “The platform that most of them use will be the mobile money platform, which is more or less virtual. As for virtual assets, it is more difficult to monitor,” he observed.

Speaking to TV3, the FIC boss indicated that the Centre has the capacity to freeze mobile money accounts linked to suspicious transactions and urged telecommunication companies to step up their compliance with anti-money laundering regulations.

“We are able to freeze mobile money accounts. They (Telcos) are enjoined to be compliant, but them being fully compliant—that’s another discussion for another day,” he remarked.

Mr. Twum-Boafo commended the banking sector for its strict adherence to financial regulations but emphasized the need for telecommunication companies to do more. “I talked about the front-foot approach that we need, and they (Telcos) in particular are not in compliance as much as I would like. The banks are, but Telcos, no,” he said.

The operation, carried out on November 9, was made public by environmental journalist Erastus Asare Donkor of the Multimedia Group, who shared details of the incident in a Facebook post.

According to Mr. Donkor, the suspect, described as a “notorious galamsey kingpin,” confronted the taskforce at the site while armed with a pistol.

In an attempt to evade arrest, he allegedly offered the officers a GH¢100,000 bribe, which they rejected.

The team proceeded with the operation, confiscating the cash and mining equipment before shutting down the illegal site.

Officials say the mining activities had severely polluted the Ayensu River, posing serious risks to nearby communities and aquatic life.

The suspect is currently in police custody assisting with investigations, while environmental experts assess the full extent of the damage caused to the river and its surroundings.

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Nurideen Mohammed Mununi, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Nalerigu/Gambaga and a member of the crucial Interior and Defence Committee, has demanded a swift and thorough investigation into the killings, insisting that mere inquiries are not enough—they must yield prosecution and conviction.

The shocking incident, which occurred during curfew hours on Thursday, November 7, 2025, has reignited fierce debates over security lapses in the conflict-prone areas of the Upper East Region.

The attack occurred at approximately 7:15 p.m. in Tengmasug, a suburb of the Binduri District. Police reports confirmed a chilling sequence of events:

• The Targets: Unknown assailants specifically targeted a single household.
• The Victims: Five occupants inside the home were killed instantly after the gunmen opened fire. The deceased included women and children, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the violence.
• Casualties: One additional person sustained serious gunshot wounds and is currently receiving medical treatment.
• Property Damage: The attackers also shot and killed two bullocks belonging to the family before escaping into the night.

The Upper East Regional Police Command has confirmed the incident and assured the public that operations are underway to apprehend the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

Speaking on Channel One News on Saturday, November 8, MP Nurideen Mohammed Mununi expressed deep concern over the recurrence of such violence despite ongoing security efforts and military interventions in the region.

“The Interior Minister is doing his best, but the issue is overwhelming. They often set up investigations, but after that, we need to see concrete outcomes. When investigations are done and these criminals are identified, they must be prosecuted and made to face the law. I believe if that is done, some of these incidents will stop,” he stated.

The MP’s statement underscores a major public frustration: the gap between security operation announcements and tangible convictions that act as a deterrent. He urged security agencies to shift focus from reactive investigations to intensive intelligence operations in areas known for recurrent conflict.

The Binduri District has been under heightened security surveillance due to historical tensions, making the attack during curfew hours particularly alarming to local leadership.

Anaba Joseph, the Assembly Member for the affected area, described the attack as “devastating” and publicly criticized security agencies for what he termed “lapses in monitoring,” especially since there was prior intelligence indicating growing community tensions.

The political and security focus now rests squarely on the Homicide Unit and other agencies to deliver justice for the five deceased victims and prove that the state can enforce the law effectively in volatile regions.

Police reports indicate that Agingre is wanted in connection with the November 7, 2025, killings of a man, his wife, and three children, an attack that also left another child in critical condition at Bolgatanga Government Hospital.

Further investigations link him to the earlier October 27, 2025, murders of an elderly man and his two children in Binduri. Authorities are also examining potential links between Agingre and other targeted killings in the area.

To aid in his capture, the Ghana Police Service has offered a GH₵1 million reward for information that leads to the arrest of the suspect.

Members of the public have been urged to report any credible tips to their nearest police station or call 191 or 18555.

In a statement, the Police assured that all necessary resources are being deployed to apprehend Agingre and urged residents to remain calm and cooperate fully with law enforcement efforts.

Source: Adomonline

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The accused — Sumaila Abdul Rahman, former CEO of the NDA; Stephen Yir-Eru Engmen, former Deputy CEO (Operations); Patrick Seidu, former Deputy CEO (Finance and Administration); and Andrew Kuundaari, CEO of ASQS Consortium Limited — are standing trial for allegedly manipulating procurement processes to gain an unfair advantage in the award of contracts under the government’s infrastructure development programme.

During Thursday’s proceedings, the defence team noted that subpoenas had been issued to staff of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) and the NDA to appear in court and provide testimony. The case has been adjourned to 25–26 November 2025 for continuation.

Ahead of the trial, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) blocked payment on what it described as an inflated contract and directed the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department to suspend disbursements pending the outcome of the case.

The OSP alleges that the accused colluded to manipulate the procurement process in favour of ASQS Consortium Limited, resulting in financial losses to the state.

Court Update: The Republic v. Sumaila Abdul Rahman & 3 Others (NR/TL/HC/CCI/10/23)

The cross-examination of all accused persons has been completed. The accused persons have issued subpoenas to staff of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) and the Northern Development Authority… pic.twitter.com/XV3BgVcouv

— Office of the Special Prosecutor-Ghana (@ospghana) November 7, 2025

The accused, part of a larger group of over 100 foreign nationals, were arrested by police based on intelligence received on October 7, 2025.

They denied entering Ghana through unapproved routes or staying and working without the requisite permits.

The prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Emmanuel Haligah, requested their remand to allow for further investigations.

ASP Haligah told the court that police, acting on intelligence, found the accused in a house at Kuntunse-Satellite, a suburb of Accra. Upon interrogation, they refused to disclose their true identities and were subsequently taken to the CID headquarters.

Investigations revealed that the accused, who hail from neighbouring francophone countries, had entered Ghana through unauthorized points between February and September 2025. They failed to report to the nearest immigration office to present travel documents and complete the required forms. Further checks confirmed that none of the accused had legal documentation permitting them to reside or work in Ghana.

The accused were subsequently charged and brought before the court.

Among those remanded are Igobere Mata, Victoir Abubakar, None Adams, De Paul Smith Ekollo, Oumar Sylla, Martine Ndmebe, Moustik Noird, Oscar Oman Kamoki, Brice Bangassou, Carlos Ngande, Kone Issa, Buinwi Amadu, Blesse Djami, Dieudonne Torrentot, Albert Binyame, Jordan Konlack Kuete, Youssoupha Fatar, Njufack Loic, Douanla Romeo, Alliun Fouko, Edouard Nkoum, Ngong Zidane, and Cheba Ben.

Others include Kadzo Rene, Abdoul Aziz, Mathieu Mbala, Wati Jony, Pinto Jean, Pombe Abel Patrick, Moussa Patateh, Kadjo Herman, Bokoe Nanje, Onaana Vincent, Promesse Amini, Okole Ngee, Philippe Yang, Alrie Ali Bouba, Kilton Waga, Henry Smith, Nestor Eku, Pende Billy, Madi Henry, Ditamou Gasparl, Jean Traore Alomo, Yota Josltin, Kenfack Frank, Bita Benard, Ousman Api, Mouyoung Dibrile Rene, Manga Gilbert, and Atangana Jean Issa.

Source: GNA  

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At the centre of it is the woman’s husband and the children’s father, Yaw Afriyie, who abused his family at will, spent time in jail for inflicting wounds on two of his children, and yet showed no signs of slowing down.

Afriyie was found hanging from a tree in a suspected case of suicide that has shocked the Central Region.

The horrifying fire incident, suspected to have been deliberately set by the estranged husband, claimed the lives of his wife, their five children and a grandchild at Akyempim in the Upper Denkyira East Municipality in the Central Region.

Firefighters were called in at 1:04 a.m., got to the scene in 16 minutes, but found the bedroom engulfed in flames and padlocked from the outside.

The officers, however, doused the fire in 12 minutes, but the act was too late to save a single life inside.

The Fire Service said the charred bodies of the victims were later handed over to the police at Atekyem for further investigation.

A statement from the police described the incident as “deeply tragic” and urged the public to remain vigilant and practice fire safety at all times.

The bodies, now at the Dunkwa Municipal Government Hospital mortuary, would be handed over to the families for burial after post-mortem.

Afriyie was said to be having potency issues and had suspected his wife of adultery.

The fire victims, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) said, comprised five children, aged between seven months and 15 years, an older daughter and their mother.

Preliminary investigations by the GNFS and the police suggest that the estranged husband, Yaw Afriyie, intentionally started the fire in the room where his family was sleeping.

Afriyie, aka Batman, is alleged to have locked the door from the outside to prevent them from escaping the furnace before fleeing the scene.

His body was later found hanging from a tree after supposedly taking his own life in a nearby bush on the outskirts of Akyempim, where the police discovered the body.

Information gathered by the Daily Graphic indicated that Afriyie, a farmer and small-scale miner, had been married to Ama Dapaah for more than a decade.

That marriage, the newspaper gathered, had a history of abuse.

A source told the Daily Graphic that Afriyie had abused his wife and the children several times over the years, with the incidents increasing more recently.

The source stated that Afriyie had spent three months in jail recently for causing life-threatening injuries to two of his children.

The injuries to the children, the eyewitness said, happened because the wife escaped a weapon thrown at her that landed on them.

They were hospitalised at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for months.

The source said the abuse caused Ama Dapaah to move out of her matrimonial home to her parents’, also at Akyempim, after several mediation efforts to get Afriyie to desist from the violent acts proved futile.

His sense of insecurity appeared to increase daily, with the tempo of abuse rising at every turn in a family that gained notoriety for the regular feud.

The Upper Denkyira East Municipal Commander of Police, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Simon Boavo, corroborated the story, stating that Ms Dapaah had appealed for mercy for Afriyie after he was sentenced, explaining that he was the breadwinner.

He said the woman urged the court to temper justice with mercy, compelling the court to sentence him to only three months in jail.

DSP Boavo said after his jail term, Afriyie reunited with his wife and family, but the abuse continued.

After mediation failed, the families advised Ms Dapaah to move to her family’s house with the children.

DSP Boavo recounted eyewitness accounts that indicated that Afriyie had chanced upon Ama Dapaah outside her home around 12 midnight on the day of the incident, and questioned her about why she was still in town at that time of the night when the children were asleep.

He was said to have urged her to go and sleep and even escorted her to the house.

DSP Boavo said neighbours and family members had also told the police that the estranged husband had threatened to kill Ama Dapaah any time and then commit suicide before the enstoolment of the new Denkyirahene, but indicated that no one reported the matter to the police, describing the incident as unfortunate.

Source: Graphic.com.gh

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Thursday’s operation, led by officials of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), turned dramatic when a yam seller attempted to flee from the task force.

The exercise, which forms part of the city’s broader campaign to enforce sanitation by-laws, targeted traders selling directly on drains and in areas deemed public health hazards.

Public Health Director at AMA, Florence Kuukyi, explained that the AMA remains resolute in restoring cleanliness and order in Accra’s markets.

“We have already arrested about 12 people, and for those we couldn’t arrest, we’ve confiscated their wares. We know that once we have their items, they will come for them,” she said.

However, speaking to JoyNews’ Stephen Mensah, one aggrieved trader questioned the fairness of the operation.

“When we came here, they told us not to sell on the drains. They also said they wouldn’t seize our goods if we stayed at a safe distance away from the drains. So why are they taking our goods today?” the trader lamented.

The Clean Ghana Campaign, spearheaded by the AMA, has, over the past few years, launched several enforcement exercises across major markets, transport terminals, and public spaces in Accra.

These operations aim to rid the city of open dumping, indiscriminate disposal of waste, and trading on drains — practices officials say contribute to flooding and public health risks.

Source: Myjoyonline

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The seized assets include multiple real estate properties, fuel stations, and logistics vehicles such as SINOTRUK fuel tankers and articulated trucks.

The court has so far confirmed five of the fuel tankers, while several other vehicles, residential, and commercial properties across Accra, Kumasi, and Tamale await judicial validation.

Among the properties pending confirmation are Kings Energy Filling Stations at Millennium City, Lapaz, Opeikuma, and Dansoman; luxury apartments in East Legon, Roman Ridge, and Airport Residential; and undeveloped lands in North Legon, Adenta, and Tema. A Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 and several plots in Tema West have also been frozen.

The OSP explained that the actions are part of its mandate under the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959), aimed at preserving suspected proceeds of corruption pending the High Court’s final determination.

“The freezing and seizure orders are necessary to prevent concealment or dissipation of assets believed to be tainted by corruption-related offences,” the OSP stated, adding that efforts are ongoing to trace additional assets linked to the alleged GH¢291 million extortion, abuse of office, and money laundering scheme.

The case involving Dr. Hamid and others is set to resume in the Criminal High Court on November 13, 2025.

In a letter dated June 27, 2025, and signed by Deputy Superintendent of Police Justice Oppong on behalf of the Director-General of the CID, the Department forwarded a duplicate docket from its Special Investigation Unit (SIU) to the Attorney-General following a reported altercation between Hon. Afenyo-Markin and a police officer during a public demonstration.

According to the CID’s report which has been sighted by Adomonline.com, the incident occurred on May 5, 2025, when operatives from the Cybercrime Unit received a one-minute, 13-second video bearing the official Ghana Police Service watermark.

The footage, captured during the “Save the Judiciary” demonstration, showed a physical altercation between police personnel and a group of demonstrators, including Hon. Afenyo-Markin.

Preliminary analysis of the video reportedly revealed the MP striking G/Cpl. Forson Abel, a police officer stationed at the Tesano District, while officers attempted to enforce a restricted boundary marked with metal barricades. The case was subsequently referred to the SIU for investigation.

G/Cpl. Forson Abel later lodged a formal complaint at the Tesano Police Station on May 6, 2025, alleging that he had been assaulted by Hon. Afenyo-Markin.

He presented a police medical report and witness statements from senior police officers, including Superintendent Isane Ocansey and ASPs Sulemana-Jallo Abdulalai and Nicholas Mensah, who corroborated his account of being struck by the MP without provocation.

However, Hon. Afenyo-Markin also filed a counter-complaint on the same day, alleging that he had, in fact, been assaulted by G/Cpl. Forson during the incident.

Following this, a team from the SIU, together with personnel from the Crime Scene Management and Cybercrime Units, visited the scene for crime reconstruction.

Two CCTV cameras at the Accra International Conference Centre were identified as possibly capturing the event, and the National Security Secretariat was requested to provide footage for review.

The CID noted that while video received from the National Security Bureau did not capture the alleged assault, analysis of the initial footage obtained from the Police Public Affairs Department was used to caution Hon. Afenyo-Markin.

He was released on self-recognizance bail in the presence of an independent witness and issued a police medical form for hospital examination.

Statements were also taken from Hon. Sammy Awuku and Richard Ahiagbah, who were reportedly present during the confrontation.

The report, however, indicated that Hon. Afenyo-Markin had failed to return the completed medical form despite several reminders.

The docket has now been submitted to the Attorney-General’s Department for further legal advice on the matter.

Below is the letter:

Dr. Hamid, a former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), is standing trial alongside nine others for their alleged involvement in the case.

In his application, Dr. Hamid argues that the release of his passport is necessary to allow him to travel to Canada to attend a political engagement.

The Republic has, however, opposed the request.

As part of his bail conditions, the Court ordered Dr. Hamid to surrender his passport. He also remains on the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) stop list.

Case update: The Republic v. Mustapha Hamid and 9 Others

The Criminal High Court is scheduled to hear on 13 November an application filed by the first accused person, Dr. Mustapha Hamid, seeking the release of his passport in the ongoing GH¢291 million case involving allegations… pic.twitter.com/RAAZAXYMhC

— Office of the Special Prosecutor-Ghana (@ospghana) November 6, 2025

The adjournment allows the court to consider an objection raised by the first accused, Charles Cromwell Nanabayin Onuawonto Bissue, who opposes the State’s request for the undercover journalist to give evidence behind closed doors.

Mr. Bissue, the former Secretary to the now-dissolved Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), is standing trial alongside two others. They are accused of accepting bribes and other illicit benefits to facilitate the issuance of a mining concession sticker for an unlicensed company.

The accused face six counts of using public office for profit and three counts of corruption by a public officer. The court is expected to rule on the objection when proceedings resume on November 19.

Trial Update: The Republic v. Charles Bissue & Others (CR/0559/2025)
………..,,,

The Criminal High Court has adjourned proceedings to 19 November 2025 after hearing arguments on a motion for the testimony of the State’s first withess to be heard in camera.

The adjournment is… pic.twitter.com/KphsvhBYss

— Office of the Special Prosecutor-Ghana (@ospghana) November 5, 2025

Alidu is expected to be charged with unlawful possession or control of narcotic drugs, contrary to Section 37(1) of the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019). 

A police brief on Tuesday said that on October 31, 2025, at 2110 hours, Ashaiman Police received intelligence from Ho Police about a bus driver arrested with suspected Indian hemp and a receiver in Ashaiman. 

The statement said police tracked the receiver, Alidu, and arrested him at Ashaiman KFC. 

While Alidu was being interrogated, he reportedly received a call from another commercial driver informing him that a sack of cassava had been delivered for him and dropped in front of the KFC premises. 

Police officers proceeded to the location and retrieved the sack, which was brought to the station. 

According to the statement, the sack was searched in the presence of the suspect and was found to contain 18 compressed slabs suspected to be Indian hemp hidden among the cassava. 

“Suspect will be handed over to the Ho Regional Police for further investigation,” the statement said. 

Source: GNA

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The auto company was found to have played a pivotal role in a fraudulent scheme involving inflated vehicle contracts and collusion with senior officials of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

According to CHRAJ’s detailed ruling, Ronor Motors served as the primary supplier in a web of corrupt transactions engineered under the leadership of former GRA Commissioner-General, Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah.

On October 1, 2021, the GRA awarded single-source procurement contracts worth millions of cedis to three companies—Ronor Motors Ltd, Sajel Motors & Trading Company Ltd, and Telinno Ghana Ltd—for the supply of vehicles and logistics.

However, investigators discovered that Sajel Motors and Telinno Ghana had no verifiable offices and had fraudulently entered into backdoor contracts with Ronor Motors for the same vehicles—effectively using the company as the operational base for the scheme.

All three firms were found to be non-tax compliant at the time, with Ronor Motors profiting from inflated pricing that caused a financial loss of $826,551 (GHS 8,971,933.43) to the state.

CHRAJ noted that the procurement was approved under misleading representations to the Public Procurement Authority (PPA), breaching the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663) as amended.

“The contracts were tainted with fraud and corruption,” the report stated, highlighting Ronor Motors’ central role in executing and benefiting from the illegal arrangements.

While Dr. Owusu-Amoah, as the head of the GRA, bore ultimate responsibility for overseeing the transactions, CHRAJ’s ruling extends liability to the directors of Ronor Motors and the two other companies involved.

The Commission has referred all parties—including Ronor Motors’ management—to the Attorney-General for possible prosecution and the recovery of the lost funds.

Additionally, CHRAJ has called on the Public Procurement Authority to consider debarring Sajel Motors and Telinno Ghana from future government contracts and to tighten oversight of single-source procurement approvals to prevent similar abuses.

The ruling, one of the most significant anti-corruption decisions of the year, underscores how Ronor Motors’ participation and influence in the vehicle supply chain enabled the broader fraud scheme to thrive within the GRA’s procurement system.

The decision, dated October 29, 2025, comes after an investigation prompted by a complaint from the civil society group, Movement for Truth and Accountability (MFTA). The complaint, filed on August 16, 2022, alleged irregularities in the procurement of vehicles and logistics from three companies: Ronor Motors Ghana Ltd, Telinno Ghana Ltd, and Sajel Motors and Trading Company Ltd.

Key allegations by MFTA included:

• Inflated Prices: The vehicles purchased from Ronor Motors were reportedly overpriced, despite bulk procurement and vehicle specifications.
• Non-Existent Offices/Capacity: Telinno Ghana Ltd and Sajel Motors and Trading Co. Ltd were said to be untraceable at the addresses provided, raising concerns over their capacity to execute the contracts. Parts of the contracts were subsequently cancelled by the GRA in June 2022.
• Tax Non-Compliance: The companies allegedly failed to remit statutory taxes, including NHIL, GETFund, Covid Levy, and VAT, totaling millions of Ghana cedis.

Dr. Owusu-Amoah, in his defense, denied all allegations of corruption and fraud, explaining that the GRA used single-source procurement in compliance with the Public Procurement Act due to urgent vehicle requirements for national initiatives such as the CAP-Buss and Ghana CARES Obaatanpa Programme.

He added that the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) had conducted due diligence and approved the procurement in September 2021. Delays in completing the contracts, he claimed, were due to COVID-19-related disruptions in the global supply chain, particularly affecting manufacturers in Japan. The unfulfilled portions of the contracts were eventually cancelled in June 2022, with replacement vehicles procured from CFAO Ghana Ltd.

CHRAJ’s ruling now bars Dr. Owusu-Amoah from public service for five years, marking a significant step in enforcing accountability in Ghana’s public sector.

Find below the full CHRAJ document on the case.

The campaign, themed “Help Fight Extortion at Our Airports,” seeks to curb illegal monetary demands while promoting transparency and improving customer experience across all terminals.

Travellers are urged to report acts of extortion by staff of the Ghana Airports Company Limited, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Revenue Authority (Customs), Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), and other supporting agencies, including Port Health, Airlines, Ground Handlers, and Private Security Companies.

Reports can be made via call, text, or WhatsApp to 0542 175 636 for prompt action.

GACL reminded the public that all airport staff are required to display clearly visible identification cards for easy verification. Travellers were also advised to confirm the identity and agency of any officer if in doubt.

In a statement, the Company said the initiative underscores its commitment to maintaining a seamless and corruption-free travel experience for passengers.

“We solicit the cooperation of the general public in our continuous effort to enhance seamless travel experience at our airports,” the statement concluded.

This was contained in a 157-page decision by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), signed by Commissioner Dr Joseph Whittal on October 28, 2025.

The report concluded that Dr Owusu-Amoah presided over fraudulent and irregular contract awards to three companies — Ronor Motors Ghana Limited, Telinno Ghana Limited, and Sajel Motors and Trading Company Limited — for the supply of vehicles and logistics to the GRA.

CHRAJ’s investigation, which stemmed from a 2022 petition filed by the Movement for Truth and Accountability (MFTA), uncovered that the contracts were riddled with inflated prices, fraudulent duplication, and, in some cases, nonexistent contractors.

“The respondent, being the Entity Head, cannot escape liability,” the report stated.

It further noted that his actions caused a financial loss to the state amounting to USD 826,551 (approximately GHS 8,971,933.43).

The Commission also found that the companies involved were not tax compliant at the time of the contract awards. Two of them — Telinno Ghana Limited and Sajel Motors and Trading Company Limited — could not even be traced to the addresses they provided in their official documents.

Despite a last-minute attempt by the petitioners to withdraw the complaint, CHRAJ proceeded with the investigation, commending the MFTA for its “public spiritedness” in exposing procurement irregularities within the state institution.

The anti-corruption watchdog has since recommended that the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) strengthen enforcement of procurement laws and create a centralised database of vetted and verified suppliers to prevent similar infractions.

Dr Owusu-Amoah, who served as GRA boss from 2019 until his departure in 2024, has yet to officially respond to CHRAJ’s findings.

The Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, announced this at a press briefing in Accra on Tuesday. 

He said the action follows investigations by a special task force set up by the Ministry and the Ghana Police Service to ensure justice for victims and hold offenders accountable for election-related offences.

Mr Mubarak said so far, twenty-one suspects have been identified through witness statements, scene visits, reconstruction of crime scenes, and forensic and ballistic examinations of evidence.

He said the investigations have led to the preparation of eleven new case dockets for prosecution.

“Four of the suspects have been arrested and granted police inquiry bail, while five others have been remanded in prison custody,” he said.

According to the minister, the task force’s findings cover violent incidents that occurred in both the 2020 and 2024 general elections, which together claimed 9 lives and left more than 32 people injured in seven regions: Greater Accra, Ashanti, Bono East, Savannah, Northern, Upper East and Upper West.

He said many of the cases under review involved the misuse of firearms by some political party supporters and the use of live ammunition by some security personnel during crowd-control operations at polling stations and collation centres.

“The government is determined to bring closure to these incidents and prevent a recurrence in future elections,” Mr Mubarak said.

The announcement marks the first major progress since the violent incidents recorded during the 2020 elections, when police confirmed more than 60 cases nationwide, including shootings at Techiman South, Odododiodio and Ablekuma Central, which led to the death of five people.

Similar incidents were reported during the 2024 elections in parts of the Ashanti, Bono East and Savannah Regions, which generated public concern about electoral security. Civil society organisations, including the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), documented several cases of gun injuries and called for justice for victims.

Mr Mubarak said the preparation of new dockets and the ongoing prosecutions form part of measures to strengthen accountability within the country’s security and justice systems.

“We will not allow these cases to gather dust. Those responsible will face the full rigours of the law,” he stated.

He said recommendations from the investigative task force would be used to guide future reforms in crowd-control operations, coordination among security agencies, and the training of personnel to prevent election-related violence.

Source: Graphic.com.gh

In a statement signed by Chief Inspector Thomas Akeelah, Public Relations Officer for the Bono Regional Police Command, the police confirmed that intelligence-led operations led to the arrest of 45-year-old motor mechanic Bashiru Kinda.

A search of his residence reportedly uncovered an Automatic Bruni Model 96 9mm K pistol loaded with three rounds of 7.65mm ammunition, four mobile phones, machetes, talismans, and other amulets.

The Police added that efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other individuals involved in the heinous crime to support investigations. Arrangements are being made to arraign the suspect in court.

Source: Christian Ofori Kumah

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Read the full statement below:

Dr. Abdul-Hamid, the first accused, is currently standing trial before the Criminal High Court in Accra on multiple counts of corruption and financial crimes.

According to the OSP, the charges include:

• Conspiracy to Commit Extortion by a Public Officer – together with two NPA officials, Dr. Abdul-Hamid is accused of plotting to extort GH¢291,574,087.19 and US$332,407.47 from bulk oil transporters and oil marketing companies between December 2022 and December 2024.
• Two Counts of Extortion by a Public Officer – for the unlawful receipt of GH¢24 million and US$230,000 from oil transporters and haulage companies under the guise of official duties.
• Two Counts of Using Public Office for Profit – for allegedly abusing his position as NPA Chief Executive for private gain.
• Money Laundering – after being found in possession of GH¢15,343,251.29, an amount disproportionate to his known legitimate income and suspected to be proceeds of crime.

In total, Dr. Abdul-Hamid is alleged to have played a leading role in a grand extortion and laundering scheme that caused the State and the petroleum sector losses exceeding GH¢291 million and over US$330,000.

The OSP has already seized and frozen assets valued at more than GH¢100 million and over US$100,000, with additional properties currently under tracing. Authorities confirm these actions are backed by “strong documentary, banking, and transaction evidence linking the proceeds to the alleged offences.”

The office emphasised that the case is a significant step in protecting public funds and enforcing accountability in the petroleum sector, stressing that “no public official is above the law.”

The OSP further noted that the scale of the alleged financial losses underscores the prosecution’s importance as “a critical test of Ghana’s commitment to fighting corruption.”

The trial is scheduled to continue on Thursday, November 13, 2025.

Following a video in which the former Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, dismissed his ongoing criminal case as “useless,” it is important to restate the facts behind his prosecution and why the State considers the case both… pic.twitter.com/SGwkijTUyj

— Office of the Special Prosecutor-Ghana (@ospghana) November 4, 2025

In a video circulating on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Dr. Abdul-Hamid is heard saying, “I came to support my friend Wontumi, me my matter deɛ, it is useless, there is nothing in it.” The comment was made during his visit to the court premises to show solidarity with Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who is also facing separate legal proceedings.

👀 @ospghana @JusticeSremSai pic.twitter.com/2FoA4F4xuz

— KALYJAY (@gyaigyimii) November 4, 2025

The remark has sparked public debate, with many questioning his dismissal of a case involving serious corruption and financial crime allegations.

The OSP is prosecuting Dr. Abdul-Hamid on multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit extortion, extortion by a public officer, using public office for profit, and money laundering.

According to the OSP, he and two other NPA officials allegedly engaged in a scheme that caused the State and petroleum sector losses exceeding GH¢291 million and over US$330,000.

Investigations have already led to the seizure and freezing of assets valued at more than GH¢100 million and over US$100,000, with additional assets still being traced.

Despite these developments, Dr. Abdul-Hamid maintains that the case lacks substance, insisting he has no reason for concern.

The matter is expected to continue at the Criminal High Court in Accra on Thursday, November 13, 2025.

In the first case, concerning allegations that Wontumi allowed mining operations on his Samreboi concession without the required approval, the court adjourned proceedings to November 12. The prosecution requested additional time to serve the defense with all relevant disclosures.

The second case, which accuses Wontumi of conducting mining activities within the Tano Nimire Forest Reserve without authorization, has been postponed to December 4 because the presiding judge is on leave.

Meanwhile, the Attorney General has withdrawn charges against the fourth accused, Edward Akuoko, General Manager of Akonta Mining, a company owned by Wontumi. Akuoko will now serve as a prosecution witness in the ongoing cases.

The directive, sources say, follows the arrest of the GRA’s Acting Head of Legal and is tied to alleged contradictory statements and a letter the three officials are suspected to have instructed the Legal Head to issue to lawyers for SML Ghana.

Those summoned include Mr Sarpong, the Assistant Commissioner in charge of Finance, Celestine Annan, and the Technical Assistant to the Commissioner-General, Kenneth Agyei-Duah. This marks the second time Mr Sarpong and Ms. Annan have been invited by the OSP. Their previous testimonies reportedly conflict with the contents of the letter believed to have been authored or approved by them at the request of SML’s lawyers in mid-October.

Both Mr Sarpong and Mr Agyei-Duah previously worked with KPMG, the auditing firm engaged by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to review SML Ghana’s operations.

The summons comes after the OSP confirmed on Monday, November 3, that the GRA’s Acting Head of Legal had been arrested and placed under investigation for suspected corruption, obstruction of justice, and other corruption-related offences linked to the SML deal.

The GRA–SML contract, which engaged SML Ghana to provide revenue assurance services for the petroleum and minerals sectors, has sparked widespread controversy over alleged inflated costs, procurement breaches, and questions about value for money.

The OSP, led by Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng, has expanded its investigations to include top officials at both the GRA and the Ministry of Finance.

Mr Agyebeng recently hinted that the office intends to file charges by the end of November 2025 against several individuals implicated in the scandal.

Those likely to face prosecution include former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and two former GRA Commissioner-Generals, Dr Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah and Emmanuel Kofi Nti.

He emphasised that the probe seeks to “safeguard public resources and ensure accountability in the management of state contracts.”

Zakari, who resides at Aboabo, pleaded not guilty to the charge of stealing but was found guilty after a full trial.

The case was presided over by Mr. Jephthah Appau.

Police Chief Inspector David Opoku Kwabi, presenting the facts of the case, told the court that the complainant, Obeng Abayie, a trader residing at Bomso, spotted the convict carrying a sack containing four metal bracings in front of his shop around 1420 hours on January 13, 2025.

The complainant, suspecting the metals were his, rushed home to verify and discovered that the door to his garage had been damaged and four metal bracings were missing.

He immediately pursued Zakari and caught up with him at Bomso Top High, where the convict was loading the stolen items into a tricycle.

Mr. Abayie raised an alarm, attracting the attention of nearby police officers who arrived at the scene and arrested Zakari.

A search at the Bomso Police Charge Office led to the retrieval of several items from the convict, including a frying pan, a cutlass, four metal bracings, a pinch bar, a hammer, parts of a standing fan, and four iron rods, all valued at an amount yet to be determined.

In his caution statement, Zakari denied stealing the items, claiming he had bought them from two unidentified young men at Bomso.

However, he failed to provide any proof of purchase or lead police to the alleged sellers.

After investigations, he was charged with stealing and subsequently convicted by the court.

Source: GNA

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Mr. Sarbah is being investigated on multiple grave charges, including suspected corruption and corruption-related offences, as well as the critical charge of obstruction of justice, all in relation to the highly scrutinised GRA–SML deal.

His arrest signifies the OSP’s intensified focus on key public officers allegedly involved in securing and covering up the unlawful and financially damaging contract.

The charge of obstruction of justice levelled against the GRA’s top legal officer is particularly significant, as the OSP’s investigation has previously highlighted a profound lack of transparency from the GRA.

The OSP established that the GRA failed to provide complete agreements between SML and its third-party partners, which the OSP deemed a breach of transparency and governance standards.

This arrest suggests that the OSP is now pursuing criminal action against officials suspected of impeding its probe into the origins and execution of the deal, which the OSP has described as being secured through “self-serving official patronage based on false and unverified claims”.

The arrest comes amidst the OSP’s ongoing probe into the sheer financial scale and legal irregularities surrounding the SML contracts:

Massive Payments: The OSP’s investigation established that SML received a staggering total of over GH¢1.4 billion from the Republic by December 2024. Crucially, these payments were reportedly made on an automatic mode, detached from actual performance and without effective supervision by the GRA.

Unlawful Contracting: The contracts themselves were deemed irregular and unlawful, as they were initially awarded without the required approval of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) and lacked the necessary parliamentary approval for multi-year contracts.
Statutory Violations: The findings revealed clear violations of multiple statutory provisions, including Section 179C of the Criminal Offences Act (prohibiting using public office for profit) and Section 92(2b) of the Public Procurement Act (forbidding influencing procurement processes to obtain an unfair advantage).

Mr. Sarbah’s arrest is part of a broader crackdown on senior officials connected to the SML scandal.

The OSP’s investigation has uncovered a “tightly knit and non-coincidental association of events,” strongly suggesting an “orchestrated plan”.

Several former senior GRA officials, including past Commissioners-General and Commissioners of Customs, have previously been detained or investigated in connection with their roles in facilitating the unlawful revenue assurance contracts.

The OSP’s relentless pursuit of accountability, culminating in the arrest of a sitting Head of Legal, underscores the commitment to thoroughly investigate and prosecute all individuals—regardless of their position—who are found culpable in causing financial losses to the state.

The directive follows preliminary findings linking the Member of Parliament for Asutifi North, Hon. Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, to the incident.

The MP is alleged to have incited the mob and obstructed the NAIMOS team during an operation to arrest illegal miners. He has since been invited by police to assist with the ongoing investigation.

According to the Ghana Police Service, the NAIMOS team intercepted illegal miners operating near Bronikrom on Saturday, November 1, 2025, and arrested several suspects. Items seized during the operation included a Smith & Wesson pistol, two magazines, 21 rounds of 9mm ammunition, an unregistered Range Rover, an unregistered Toyota RAV4, and several mobile phones.

While preparing to hand over the suspects to the Hwidiem Police Station, the MP allegedly arrived with a group of men demanding their release. When the request was denied, the group reportedly removed the suspects’ handcuffs and chased the NAIMOS officials from the scene.

A mob of about 600 people, believed to have been incited by the MP, later besieged the police station, demanding the release of the suspects. The crowd vandalized the Director’s vehicle, damaged parts of the station, and attempted to set it ablaze. Reinforcement teams from the Ahafo Regional Command were deployed to restore calm and prevent further destruction.

Order was eventually restored through the joint efforts of the police, military, and the Zongo Chief of Hwidiem, who helped mediate the situation and ensure the safe evacuation of the NAIMOS team. Though the Chief’s vehicle was damaged in the process, no injuries were recorded.

In a statement signed by the Director-General of Public Affairs, DCOP Grace Ansah-Akrofi, the Ghana Police Service condemned the attack and warned against any interference with law enforcement operations.

“A special operation has been launched to identify and arrest all perpetrators to face the full rigours of the law,” the statement added.

Speaking on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem, Alhaji Bashiru dismissed as false any suggestion that the MP incited or sponsored the mob that attacked the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) team led by Colonel Dominic Buah.

“If I am given the Holy Qur’an to swear, I will say nothing but the truth,” the Zongo Chief declared. “The MP, Ebenezer Addo, was on his way to a funeral and only stopped when he came across the chaos. He did not call any thugs to attack the taskforce; he won’t do that, and I don’t know him to be that kind of person.”

Alhaji Bashiru explained that by the time the MP arrived at the scene, the situation had already spiralled out of control. He said Mr. Addo’s presence was aimed at helping to calm tensions and ensure the safety of the soldiers who were surrounded by angry youth.

“I am not aware he gave the soldiers any money,” he added. “What I witnessed was an effort to protect lives and restore order, not to cause confusion.”

The Zongo Chief further clarified that the unrest arose from a misunderstanding regarding activities at the alleged illegal mining site.

“The youth were not doing galamsey,” he said. “They were engaging in ‘Sankofa,’ which is when young people return to abandoned mining sites to wash leftover soil in hopes of finding some gold. They may have felt intimidated, and that misunderstanding caused the disturbances.”

He stressed that while the youth’s actions led to chaos, there was no organised attack orchestrated by any political figure or authority.

Alhaji Bashiru also revealed that his personal vehicle, which was used to transport the soldiers to safety, was later involved in an accident.

“My car, a Toyota Sequoia 4×4, crashed into a tricycle after the incident, and it is currently in police custody,” he said.

The confrontation on Saturday, November 1, 2025, followed the arrest of two men by the NAIMOS taskforce at a mining site near Hwidiem, along with the seizure of vehicles and equipment. The arrests reportedly triggered outrage among local residents, who later besieged the police station demanding the release of the suspects and vehicles.

Security has since been reinforced in the area, and calm has been restored. Police investigations into the disturbance and property damage are ongoing.

Source: Gertrude Otchere

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Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Alhaji Bashiru described the events as “chaotic and dangerous,” recalling how swift intervention by community leaders and the police helped prevent bloodshed.

According to him, he was on his farm when the Member of Parliament for Asutifi North, Ebenezer Addo, called to inform him of the tense situation involving the NAIMOS team led by Colonel Dominic Buah.

“When I arrived on a motorbike, the situation was indeed bad,” Alhaji Bashiru recounted. “We wanted to remove the soldiers from the police station because the youth had surrounded the place and were becoming uncontrollable.”

He noted that many of the young people involved were unaware of what had triggered the unrest, joining in the chaos out of curiosity.

“A lot of the youth didn’t even know what was happening. Some were just following the crowd. The mature ones who understood the matter were rather helping the police to restore calm,” he explained.

The Zongo Chief said that after assessing the situation, the Asutifi North MP advised evacuating the soldiers for their safety.

“The MP said the police vehicle wasn’t safe, so he appealed to me to bring my Toyota Sequoia 4×4 to transport the soldiers because we believed no one would dare touch it,” Alhaji Bashiru said.

However, moments after his vehicle arrived, part of the irate mob attacked and smashed its rear windscreen, mistaking it for a military vehicle.

“Those who vandalised my car were not part of the group that understood the issue. One young man even confessed he joined the crowd just because he heard people shouting,” he revealed.

Despite the damage, Alhaji Bashiru said his priority was ensuring the safety of the soldiers and preventing the situation from escalating further.

He praised the military officers for their restraint and professionalism, noting that they could have retaliated but chose to remain calm under pressure.

“The soldiers are government officials working on behalf of the state. Once they wear the uniform, we must accord them respect,” he said. “I commend them because if they wanted to escape by force, they could have done so, but they stayed calm until we moved them to safety.”

The NAIMOS team, which had earlier arrested two suspected illegal miners and seized vehicles and weapons at a nearby mining site, was later rescued under police escort and transported safely to the Newmont Kenyasi site.

Police in Hwidiem have since confirmed that calm has been restored, though investigations into the vandalism and attempted mob assault on the taskforce continue.

ALSO READ:

• Galamsey: NAIMOS raids site in Ahafo, arrests operators including a Burkinabe

• NAIMOS taskforce escapes mob attack at Hwidiem

Source: Gertrude Otchere