Speaking at the 5th Anniversary and Stakeholders’ Conference of the RTI Commission in Accra, Dr. Ayine said improving transparency in environmental governance would empower citizens to understand the consequences of unsustainable practices and hold institutions accountable.

“As the country faces existential threats from galamsey, access to timely environmental information is critical to safeguarding Ghana’s natural resources,” he stated.

The conference, held under the theme “Championing Transparency and Accountability through Access to Information in a Digital Era,” highlighted the importance of information accessibility in promoting good governance.

Dr. Ayine also urged the RTI Commission to strengthen partnerships with relevant agencies to make environmental data more accessible to the public, stressing that informed citizens are key to effective environmental protection.

Source: AdomOnline

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Speaking during a briefing under the Government Accountability Series at the Jubilee House, Dr. Ayine said investigations have traced illicit funds to the purchase of multiple high-value assets worth millions of dollars and Ghana cedis.

The properties allegedly linked to Mr. Hannan include:

• A five-bedroom house at Chain Homes valued at $1.625 million
• A three-bedroom house at Cantonments worth $600,000
• Plots of land at Airport Development estimated at $750,000
• A 17-bedroom boutique hotel at Gumani in Tamale valued at $250,000
• A four-bedroom bungalow at Dzorwulu, Accra, costing GHS 4,142,451
• A 0.32-acre government land purchased for GHS 307,200

Dr. Ayine explained that the discoveries form part of an ongoing investigation into a GHS 40.5 million money-laundering scheme involving Sawtina Enterprise, a company reportedly linked to the former CEO.

He emphasized that the government is determined to recover all assets acquired through unlawful means and ensure accountability in the use of public resources.

“These revelations demonstrate our unwavering commitment to fighting economic crimes and reclaiming what rightfully belongs to the people of Ghana,” Dr. Ayine stated.

Source: AdomOnline

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His response follows revelations by the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine at the Government Accountability Series in Accra.

He disclosed that over GH¢40 million was allegedly transferred through Sawtina Enterprise to several individuals and entities, including Hanan, under suspicious circumstances.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, Hanan described the Attorney General’s claims as “false and damaging,” stressing that he has not engaged in any form of financial misconduct.

“My attention has been drawn to recent statements made by the Honourable Attorney General during a press engagement, in which my name was mentioned in connection with allegations of corruption,” the statement read.

“I wish to state, respectfully, that these claims are untrue and do not reflect the facts of the matter.”

Hanan called the allegations “deeply unfortunate” and maintained that he has no connection to the transactions under investigation. He further revealed that his legal team has been instructed to review the matter and advise on the next steps to safeguard his reputation.

“I look forward to the opportunity to present my side and to have my day in court, where I am confident that the truth will be made clear,” he concluded.

Read the statement below:

Release

Subject: Response to Statements Made by the Attorney General.

My attention has been drawn to recent statements made by the Honourable Attorney General during a press engagement, in which my name was mentioned in connection with allegations of corruption.

I wish to state, respectfully, that these claims are untrue and do not reflect the facts of the matter. I have no involvement in the issues being referred to, and I find the comments deeply unfortunate.

I have asked my legal representatives to review the situation and to advise on the appropriate steps to protect my reputation. I look forward to the opportunity to present my side and to have my day in court, where I am confident that the truth will be made clear.

I remain fully committed to the principles of honesty, transparency, and integrity that have guided my work throughout my career.

Abdul-Wahab Hanan Aludiba

Source: AdomOnline

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The revelations were made during the Government Accountability Series, an initiative by the Presidential Communications Directorate to keep the public informed on ongoing anti-corruption efforts.

Dr. Ayine said investigators had uncovered a complex money-laundering network involving suspicious transactions worth over GHS 40.5 million routed through Sawtina Enterprise, a company allegedly linked to the former CEO.

He explained that the funds were transferred to several individuals and entities under questionable circumstances, suggesting a deliberate attempt to conceal the origin and flow of illicit proceeds.

Describing the scheme as a “clear case of financial impropriety and abuse of office,” Dr. Ayine stressed that the government remains committed to recovering misappropriated state funds and ensuring accountability.

He added that further details will be released as the case advances through the appropriate legal channels.

Source: AdomOnline

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The tragic incident, he said, serves as a sobering reminder of life’s fragility.

Delivering a tribute on behalf of the Judiciary and the Judicial Service during the state funeral at Black Star Square, he likened the fallen to “eight radiant stars whose light illuminated our nation’s path” and expressed sorrow over their sudden departure.

“The cruel hands of fate have taken from us eight devoted sons of our motherland,” he said, urging Ghanaians to face every responsibility with “unwavering dedication, diligence, and love for country.”

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie praised their role as environmental defenders in the fight against illegal mining and affirmed the Judiciary’s resolve to continue pursuing environmental cases.

“In this regard, the Judiciary and Judicial Service of Ghana pledge to play their part in prosecuting all environmental offences without fear or favour. We do so knowing that safeguarding life and health is essential to upholding the rule of law in our democratic journey and to protecting all persons,” he stated.

Addressing the President, government officials, the Ghana Armed Forces, and the bereaved families, he noted that the grief was shared.

“This is not a moment of loss for you alone; the Judicial Service of Ghana is equally devastated,” he said.

He further prayed for the souls of the eight departed, through the mercy of God, to rest in perfect peace.

The victims of the crash were: Minister for Environment Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed; Defence Minister Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah; former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye; NDC Vice Chairman Samuel Sarpong; Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed; Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala; Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu; and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.

Source: Adomonline.com

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He posted his analysis on Monday, July 28, stating, “Claiming ‘pragmatism’ is not enough.”

Simons pointed out that in a letter dated 31 July 2018—just before Unibank’s licence was revoked—the bank’s main shareholders admitted to liabilities of GH¢4.9 billion and proposed the liquidation of assets worth GH¢3.52 billion.

“How then does the liability now get revised to GH¢ 3.3 billion?” he asked, calling the new figure questionable and lacking in rigour.

He criticised the Attorney General’s decision to terminate civil proceedings while also dropping criminal charges.

“If anything at all, the criminal action could have been maintained to apply pressure even as a negotiated settlement was pursued,” Mr Simons argued.

He believes abandoning both legal avenues weakens public confidence in the accountability of high-profile financial crimes.

Simons concluded that the Unibank case highlights a deeper governance crisis.

“There is a big capital hole—nearly $1.8 billion large. And the government’s deal is nowhere near plugging it,” he wrote, calling on authorities to provide a full, honest accounting of the nation’s financial exposure and to uphold public interest above political or personal ties.

Source: Ernest K. Arhinful

The decision, announced in court on July 22 by Deputy Attorney-General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, follows what the AG’s office described as a “significant recovery” of state funds lost during the financial sector clean-up.

The case, The Republic v. Kwabena Duffuor & 7 Others (CR/0248/2020), was one of several prosecutions launched after the 2018 banking sector reforms aimed at sanitising Ghana’s financial system.

Dr. Duffuor, founder of uniBank and a former Governor of the Bank of Ghana, was charged in 2020 with offences including theft and money laundering. Prosecutors alleged that he unlawfully received GHS 663.3 million (about $122 million at the time) from the bank’s coffers.

uniBank was declared insolvent in August 2018 after the BoG found that shareholders and related parties had taken GHS 5.3 billion in loans and withdrawals without proper authorisation. The charges also involved other senior officials, including former BoG Deputy Governor Dr. Johnson Asiama.

According to the Deputy AG, the accused persons met a recovery threshold of 60% of the alleged losses following extensive negotiations involving the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and other state agencies.

“In furtherance of the public interest, and considering the significant recoveries made for the State, the Attorney-General has satisfied himself that continuing with the prosecution will not serve any additional public purpose,” Dr. Srem-Sai stated.

A nolle prosequi does not amount to an acquittal but halts the prosecution, allowing room for future charges should new evidence emerge. The AG’s office emphasised that the move “does not imply an absence of wrongdoing” but reflects a pragmatic approach to safeguarding public resources.

The Attorney-General reaffirmed his commitment to accountability, transparency, and protecting the public purse in all matters of national importance.

Source: AdomOnline

According to the caucus, the Attorney General’s primary role is to provide legal advice to investigative agencies and assist the courts in dispensing justice. However, they argue that his current actions undermine this mandate.

Addressing journalists on Monday, March 24, Second Deputy Minority Whip Jerry Ahmed Shaib called on the Attorney General to immediately cease such activities.

“The Attorney General is an officer of the court. His role is to assist the court in dispensing justice when investigators present their case and evidence. However, the posture of the new A-G undermines this rule. He is no longer acting as an officer of the court but as someone who has conducted his own inquisition, determined the guilt of a suspect, and is seeking to impose his views on the court,” he stated.

He further warned that such actions erode the integrity of the Attorney General’s office and weaken the justice system, calling on all stakeholders who respect the rule of law to demand an end to this practice.

The Minority also referenced an apology reportedly made by the National Security Coordinator to former Bank of Ghana Governor Dr. Ernest Addison following a controversial raid on his residence. They insisted that the operation was unlawfully conducted.

“If a court-issued warrant existed, why was it not presented to Dr. Addison before or during the raid? Why was excessive force used against his private security? Why was his CCTV camera dismantled and taken away? Transparency is key in ensuring lawful enforcement,” they questioned.

The caucus further challenged the government to justify the operation, stating that if the raid was legal, there would have been no need for an apology.

“If their actions were lawful and above board, why did the National Security Coordinator feel the need to call and apologize to Dr. Addison through Richard Jakpa’s phone? If there was no wrongdoing, what exactly was the apology for?” Mr. Shaib asked.

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Her lawyer, Mr Andrew Khartey, has sued the Ghana Police Service (GPS), Corporal Clement Suputour (the officer involved), and the Attorney General (AG) as the legal representative of the government.

The defendants, including the AG, have eight days to respond to the suit, or judgment may be rendered in their absence.

Kumah is seeking GH¢6 million for human rights violations committed by the GPS and its employees, plus an additional GH¢3 million for false arrest, assault, and battery.

She is also claiming GH¢3 million for negligence by the GPS and another GH¢3 million for violations of her fundamental rights and the torturous acts she suffered.

Khartey is also praying the Court to order the defendants to pay for all expenses for the reconstruction of his client’s ear and for resolving her hearing impairment.

According to the statement of claim, Kumah was arrested without being informed of the reason for her arrest, and the arrest was made without legal justification, making it a false arrest.

The writ of summons further stated that the physical injury inflicted on Kumah, including the forced extraction of a statement, violated her right to a fair trial and her dignity.

The amputation of part of her ear is described as an act of assault and battery.

Additionally, the delay in releasing her medical results was seen as a violation of her right to health and life.

The writ said Kumah was arrested on February 29, 2024, when she went to the Community One Police Station to visit her boyfriend, who had been arrested but was herself detained.

She was then transferred to the Community Eight Police Station, where Corporal Clement Suputour allegedly attempted to forcibly extract a confession from her.

Despite not being informed of the reason for her arrest or her right to a lawyer, she was questioned about the whereabouts of an individual involved in a crime, which she denied knowing.

During the interrogation, Suputour allegedly cut off the upper part of Judith’s right ear using a metal object.

However, instead of receiving medical care, she was offered marijuana by the officer to alleviate her pain, which she rejected.

After being ordered by a senior officer, Suputour took Judith to the Community Two Police Clinic, which lacked the necessary medical equipment to treat her injuries.

The severed part of her ear was reportedly not kept and has since gone missing.

At the clinic, it was also discovered that Judith was pregnant, but Suputour showed no concern for her condition and instead returned her to the police station for further interrogation.

During her continued detention, Kumah was accused of being involved in a car robbery and was allegedly identified as a woman in CCTV footage related to the robbery.

Suputour then coerced her into signing a confession and threatened to cut off her other ear if she did not comply.

Despite the allegation, when taken to the crime scene, security officers did not identify her, nor was she recognized during an identification parade.

Kumah was eventually charged, but the prosecution failed to present the CCTV footage as evidence in court, leading to her discharge.

New suspects were later arraigned for the same crime.

The writ stated that Kumah experienced significant emotional distress, including embarrassment, reduced confidence in social situations, and trauma from the unlawful treatment she endured.

She is seeking compensation for the physical, emotional, and psychological harm caused by the incident, which she contends violated her rights and dignity.

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The case challenges the Speaker of Parliament’s decision to declare the seats of four Members of Parliament (MPs) vacant after they announced their intent to run as independent candidates in the December 2024 elections.

In the statement, filed on October 21, 2024, Mr. Dame argued that, the Constitution does not require MPs to vacate their seats merely for expressing an intention to contest future elections either as independent candidates or under a different political party’s banner.

He emphasized that an MP’s seat can only become vacant during their current term if they switch political parties or declare themselves independent during that term.

“Filing a nomination for a future election does not lead to the forfeiture of an MP’s current seat,” Mr. Dame stated.

He also emphasized the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to determine the matter indicating that, “The court’s original and exclusive jurisdiction to determine the constitutionality of any acts or omission by any person in Ghana is not ousted by any law.”

Additionally, he stressed that all state institutions, including Parliament, must adhere to the Constitution and are subject to the Supreme Court’s power of judicial review.

“Any directive or ruling by the Speaker that contravenes the Constitution falls under the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction for review,” Mr. Dame noted.

This legal battle began after Speaker Alban Bagbin declared the seats of four MPs vacant, following their intention to contest the upcoming elections as independents.

However, the Supreme Court granted Mr. Afenyo-Markin’s request for a temporary injunction against the Speaker’s decision, allowing the MPs to retain their seats pending the final outcome of the case.

The ongoing dispute over the status of the MPs has led Speaker Bagbin to indefinitely adjourn Parliament.

This adjournment came after a walkout by New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs, who left the chamber following a disagreement with the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) members, who asserted their majority.

During the brief session, the Speaker also confirmed he had been served with legal documents concerning the case involving the four MPs.

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Describing such financial systems as opaque, the Attorney General said these types of bank accounts could be conduits for the illicit flow of proceeds of corruption from Ghana and other countries.

Addressing a gathering at the 41st Cambridge International Symposium on Economic Crime, he noted that “the duty to provide particulars of beneficiary owners and the registration processes provide a strong safeguard against money laundering and corruption.”

He added that this helps boost investor confidence in the Ghanaian economy.

“The phenomenon of the creation of shell companies and opaque financial systems that provide the opportunity for the laundering and concealment of illicit wealth is being drastically reduced by the enactment of the Companies Act,” he stated.

Mr Yeboah Dame called for increased international cooperation to tackle illicit financial flows.

“Respectfully, we must tackle financial crimes from the base, an effective way to deprive criminals of the fruit of their wrongdoing is by dealing with the sources of funding of their subversive enterprises to disrupt and intercept the proceeds of their misconduct… Banks must be held accountable for the protection of identities of holders of accounts especially in some offshore jurisdictions often becomes a façade and a conduit for the concealment of proceeds of corruption and other economic crimes,” he said.

According to him, tracing the assets of accused persons especially convicts of an economic crime is a sophisticated enterprise that requires the willing participation of a network of gatekeepers.

The Attorney General pointed to some other interventions being made by the government to check the situation locally.

Source: Myjoyonline

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The Attorney General, Godfred Dame, is yet to initiate processes in prosecuting referrals made to him by Parliament based on the findings in the Auditor General’s Report.

The cases referred to the Attorney General includes infractions, breaches of procurement laws, and instances of receiving unearned salaries.

The Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Dr. James Klutse Avedzi, is urging the state to prosecute the persons involved to serve as an example to others.

He hinted that all arrears in handling and dealing with the Auditor General’s report have been cleared.

Dr. Avedzi also debunked assertions that the Committee takes money from institutions in exchange for leniency when they appear before it.

Source:Ohene Amponsah

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He expressed unwavering belief in his client’s innocence, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, and criticized the AG’s worthiness to speak at the event.

“Based on his statement, the AG has not demonstrated that he is fit and proper to address the Bar at this year’s Conference,” Mr Tamekloe said on JoyNews’ PM Express on Monday.

Calling for the head of Mr Yeboah Dame, he said the GBA PRO, Savior Kudze’s criticism about the AG’s comment after the judgment, speaks volumes about allowing him to address lawyers at the conference.

Mr Tamekloe accused the AG, Godfred Yeboah Dame, of persecuting Dr Casiel Ato Forson, who is the Minority Leader in Parliament.

He recounted that the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) initially instructed them to take the police statement home and return with it completed, signalling there was no wrongdoing from the onset.

The lawyer highlighted that Dr Ato Forson’s opposition to the government’s Electronic Levy Bill in 2019 made him a target for persecution.

Background

On Tuesday, the Court of Appeal, in a 2:1 decision, acquitted and discharged Dr Ato Forson and Richard Jakpa in the ambulance case.

The ruling overturned a trial court order requiring them to present their defence for allegedly causing a financial loss of €2.37 million to the state in procuring ambulances for the government.

While Justice Alex Poku Acheampong dissented, Justices Kweku Tawiah Ackah-Boafo and Philip Bright Mensah ruled in favour of the accused.

Following the ruling, AG Godfred Dame issued a statement criticizing the decision as perverse and contrary to the substantial evidence presented by the prosecution.

He argued that the decision undermines public accountability and the rule of law.

“I’ve always believed in the innocence of my client [Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson] and I can tell you, whether Supreme Court or Antoa or Nogokpo, my client will be vindicated,” he insisted.

Justice Abdulai contends that the appointment of COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno is unconstitutional.

He made this argument in a writ dated July 30, 2024.

On July 17, President Akufo-Addo appointed Commissioner of Police (COP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno as the Deputy IGP in charge of operations.

But the lawyer is praying the court to restrain COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno “from acting or purporting to act as Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of operations.”

“A further order restraining the Inspector General of Police or any command under him from accepting, relating to and/or issuing instructions or commands to COP Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno in his assumed capacity as Deputy Inspector-General of Police in Charge of Operation.”

The Jubilee House said the appointment followed the advice of the Police Council during its meeting today, where COP Yohuno’s exceptional credentials and dedication to duty were acknowledged.

The statement described the Commissioner as a distinguished law enforcement officer with a career spanning over three decades who has held key positions within the Service.

In an interview on Accra-based TV3, John Mahama accused the Attorney General of being overly focused on targeting political opponents rather than fulfilling his duties as a Minister of State.

“He is like a legal representative of the NPP party. Over-enthusiastic in pursuing political opponents,” Mahama stated.

Mr Mahama also highlighted what he sees as the Attorney General’s selective approach to justice. He pointed out that despite the significance of the ambulance spare parts scandal, the AG has shown no interest in pursuing it.

In contrast, he assured that if the NDC wins the upcoming election, his administration would ensure accountability for the outgoing regime and prosecute any of their own members involved in similar misconduct.

“So I think that the A-G is also the Minister of Justice, he forgets that, he thinks he is just the A-G. The Minister of Justice is supposed to ensure fairness. Anywhere else in this world, this case would have ended, he would never even have come to court,” Mr Mahama added.

His comment comes against the backdrop of the Court of Appeal acquitting and discharging the Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, and Richard Jakpa, the 3rd accused in the ambulance procurement trial.

The NDC flagbearer argued that the Attorney General’s conduct in the ambulance procurement trial has discredited him, citing instances of witness coaching and discussions that he believes amount to malicious prosecution.

“Anywhere in the world, with the things we have seen, coaching of witnesses, discussion with witnesses, this prosecution would be struck out as malicious prosecution. I believe this prosecution is malicious,” he said.

The Court said the two have no case to answer, and therefore stepped aside an earlier decision of the trial High Court for the case to proceed, for which Richard Jakpa, the 3rd accused, has had to call a number of witnesses.

In a statement issued by the Attorney General shortly after the ruling, Godfred Dame indicated that his office “considers the decision of the Court of Appeal to be perverse in the quest for public accountability and the rule of law. The decision clearly is heavily against the weight of the cogent evidence led by the prosecution in substantiation of all the charges against the accused persons at the trial.”

The AG, who proceeded to narrate what he said are the ‘relevant facts of the matter’, concluded that “The Office of the Attorney-General considers the decision of the Court of Appeal grossly unfair to the nation and inimical to the fight against impunity and abuse in public office. The Office will promptly file an appeal in order to erase the effect of this erroneous decision of the Court of Appeal.”

AG’s summary of the Ambulance Trial

1. Vehicles purporting to be ambulances were imported into the country in December, 2014 in violation of the contract governing the transaction.
2. The then Minister for Health, Ms. Sherry Aryittey, had cautioned in writing against the importation of the vehicles into the country. There was thus no request by the Ministry of Health for the vehicles to be imported into the country, or for the letters of credit which were the means of payment for the vehicles under the contract, to be established.
3. With no request from the Ministry of Health or any authorisation whatsoever, and at a time that the period for supply of the ambulances under the contract had even lapsed, the first accused, Cassiel Ato Forson, by letters dated and 7^th and 14^th August, 2014, instructed the Bank of Ghana and the Controller and Accountant-General to issue letters of credit for the payment for the vehicles.
4. The letters of credit were consequently established on 18^th August, 2014. Big Sea General Trading LLC, the suppliers of the vehicles based in Dubai, whose contract had no parliamentary approval, proceeded to ship the vehicles on receipt of the letters of credit.
5. When the vehicles arrived, they were not of the kind specified in the contract. Further, apart from the absence of basic parts and equipment required for an ambulance, the National Ambulance Service and the Ministry of Health noted serious defects with every material part of the vehicles.
6. Such was the fundamental nature of the defects that a former Minister for Health, Dr Alex Segbefia described the vehicles as “ordinary vans”  not fit for purpose. In point of fact, a report on the vehicles by the authorised dealers in Mercedes Benz, commissioned by the Ministry of Health in 2015 to assess the vehicles (tendered in evidence by the prosecution), stated that the vehicles could never be converted into ambulances.
7. The defects were so irremediable that from the time the vehicles started arriving in December, 2014 up to January, 2017 when the erstwhile John Mahama administration left office, they could not be converted into ambulances.

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I don’t know who leaked Richard Jakpa’s release letter to Defence…

According to Lieutenant General Oppong-Peprah, Mr Jakpa was released from the military due to a continuous lack of knowledge or interest in his duties.

During his testimony in court on Monday, July 29, Lieutenant General Oppong-Peprah explained that the decision to discharge Jakpa was not taken lightly.

He stressed that Jakpa’s persistent inability to demonstrate the necessary expertise and commitment to his role in the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) ultimately led to his dismissal.

This clarification comes amidst the controversy surrounding a letter purportedly detailing Jakpa’s dismissal, which the CDS denied releasing to the Minister of Defense, Dominic Nitiwul.

In the ongoing trial, the Deputy Attorney-General, Alfred Tuah-Yeboah, introduced the dismissal letter as evidence while cross-examining Jakpa.

The letter, allegedly from the office of the Defence Minister, cited misconduct and breaches of military protocols as reasons for Jakpa’s dismissal in 2007.

Despite objections from Jakpa’s lawyers regarding the relevance of the letter, the presiding judge, Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, admitted it into evidence, stating that Mr Jakpa had acknowledged the document and could speak to its contents.

Lieutenant General Oppong-Peprah’s testimony provided further insight into the rationale behind Jakpa’s dismissal.

He underscored that the Ghana Armed Forces maintain high standards and that personnel are expected to continually demonstrate proficiency and dedication to their duties.

Mr Jakpa’s failure to meet these expectations, according to the CDS, warranted his release from the military.

“The said former officer of the military, Richard Jakpa was released based on lack of knowledge or interests,” he told the court.

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The Judicial Service claims ownership of the land and six bungalows, alleging in its suit filed at the High Court that, these properties are being encroached upon.

Solicitor for the Judicial Service, Mandy Dzifa Kwawukume, detailed in the writ that the disputed area and bungalows have recently served as residences for several justices, including Justice Yaw Appau, Justice C. J. Honyenugah, and Justice Vida Akoto Bamfo, among others.

The suit indicates that, a total of 14 residences, including one belonging to the Robin Batu family, are affected by this encroachment.

The Judicial Service’s legal action seeks to halt the developments and reclaim the property, emphasizing the significance of these residences to the judiciary.

It is therefore seeking “declaration that the plaintiff is the lawful occupant of the land and bungalows opposite American Embassy, labelled Plot 3A to 3F with six number of houses thereon” and also “that any purported sale, lease, grant or disposal of the land and bungalows opposite American Embassy, labelled Plot 3A to 3F with six number of houses thereon is unconstitutional and unlawful.”

Additionally, the Judicial Service is demanding general damages and costs and is seeking an order of perpetual injunction to restrain the defendants, their agents, servants, privies, lessees, grantees, assigns, or whosoever, from entering, undertaking, or purporting to undertake the sale, lease, grant, or disposal of the land and bungalows, which are the subject matter of this suit.

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Frank Davies’ comments come after the AG said the cross-examination of the third accused in the trial, Richard Jakpa has exposed what he sees as lies and deception of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Reacting to this comment, Mr Tamakloe believes the statement is prejudicial in the ongoing ambulance procurement trial involving the Minority Leader.

However, Mr Davies in an interview on Joy FM’s Newsnight on Monday, June 24, emphasised that Mr Tamakloe, who is directly involved in the case, should avoid passing public comments, as it mirrors the behaviour he criticises in the Attorney General.

He pointed out that some sessions of the public have publicly criticised the AG, calling him a ‘criminal’ and ‘reckless’, adding that the AG has introduced new evidence to counter claims made by Richard Jakpa, suggesting that the AG’s integrity has been unjustly attacked.

“The Attorney General’s person has been so much spoilt in this matter so if he has been able to in his estimation that the lies have been exposed, he was making a comment. And Edudzi the judge is not bound to take the Attorney General’s comment, so don’t use that to whitewash the trial,” he said.

He therefore cautioned against using the AG’s comments to overshadow the trial’s proceedings, underscoring the need for fairness and impartiality in the legal process.

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Mr Jakpa during proceedings on Thursday, June 20, asserted that these documents, which he provided to the AG, were instrumental in shaping the prosecution’s strategy against him.

Jakpa explained that the documents were part of the communications and information exchanged between him and the Attorney-General.

Jakpa suggested that the AG’s reliance on these documents raised concerns about the fairness of the prosecution’s case, as it appeared that the evidence was largely derived from his own submissions.

Furthermore, Mr Jakpa reiterated his earlier claims that WhatsApp messages submitted by the AG as evidence had been tampered with.

He maintained that the content had been altered to misrepresent his communications, which he argued could undermine the credibility of the prosecution’s case.

The court on Thursday admitted 68 WhatsApp messages alleged sent by Jakpa, as well as two responses by the AG into evidence.

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Jakpa’s lawyer objects to AG’s attempt to tender “full WhatsApp chat”…

AG has tampered with WhatsApp messages I sent him – Jakpa

This issue became a focal point during Jakpa’s cross-examination by the DPP at the High Court on Thursday, June 20.

During the proceedings, the DPP questioned Jakpa, who is on trial alongside the Minority Leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, about his intentions for seeking a private discussion with the Attorney-General.

“That was the main reason, from what you have told this court, why you wanted to have a private discussion with him,” she said.

In response, Mr Jakpa denied this, asserting that his objective was merely to explain his innocence to the Attorney-General.

The businessman elaborated, telling the packed courtroom presided over by Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe that he sought the meeting to urge the Attorney-General to cease abusing his discretionary powers in a capricious, whimsical, and vindictive manner against innocent Ghanaians.

He emphasised that his intention was not to evade prosecution but to address what he perceived as unjust treatment.

“Because deep within me and with the knowledge of the ambulance project, I was 100 per cent convinced that I was innocent and Dr Cassiel Ato Forson was innocent and the only person that had a case to answer if there was any financial loss at all was Dr Sylvester Anemana, so I saw it as a responsibility to request the meeting to put the case and the facts before him and appeal to his conscience to do what is right,” he said.

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Jakpa’s lawyer objects to AG’s attempt to tender “full WhatsApp chat”

Thaddeus Sory argued that, no proper foundation has been laid for the evidence to be tendered into evidence, contending that the WhatsApp chat as presented by the prosecution is not complete.

He is therefore asking the court to compare the AG’s phone records and Jakpa’s phone records to verify the authenticity of what prosecution is trying to tender into evidence.

Mr. Sory argues that some chats on Richard Jakpa’s phone does not appear on what AG seek to present and so it does not give a full picture of the conversation between the AG and Richard Jakpa.

However, Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe in her ruling asserted that the court has already admitted the WhatsApp chat of the 3rd accused.

She stressed that since prosecution is submitting the chat as the complete interaction between himself and Jakpa, the evidence will be admitted as exhibit BE.

Background

During proceedings on Tuesday, June 18, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, highlighted the substantial number of messages sent by Mr Jakpa compared to the limited responses from the Attorney-General.

The DPP sought to introduce all WhatsApp messages sent by Mr Jakpa into evidence.

Mr Jakpa acknowledged introducing himself to the Attorney General before the trial and obtaining the Justice Minister’s contact information through his cousin, Supreme Court Judge, Justice Yonny Kulendi.

Under cross-examination, Mr Jakpa admitted that the messages presented in court did not encompass the entire conversation but were selected based on relevance to his case.

The attempt by the DPP to submit the WhatsApp conversation faced objections from Mr Sory, counsel for Mr Jakpa, who argued that the defence required additional time to thoroughly review the messages.

Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe then sought Dr Bamba (counsel for the first accused)’s input, regarding objections to the submission.

Dr Bamba objected, citing the lack of colour printing in the document, surprising the judge as the printout provided by Mr Jakpa also lacked colour.

Following these objections, the court instructed the DPP to defer the submission of the messages until the defence had adequate time to examine them, scheduling this review for today’s session.

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He argues that the audio does not contain enough evidence to guarantee that Richard Jakpa will win the case.

Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, the trial judge in the ongoing ambulance procurement case, on Thursday, June 13, admitted an audio recording involving the Attorney-General and businessman, Richard Jakpa into evidence.

According to her, the reasons for admitting the recording during the mistrial application on June 6, 2024, still apply.

She noted that the pen drive containing the recording has been admitted in the interest of fairness since any electronic evidence by the prosecution would have been allowed.

However, Alfred Tuah Yeboah said the fact that evidence has been admitted does not mean it would convince the judge and the court beyond reasonable doubt.

When JoyNews asked whether he was worried about the tape being admitted, he retorted, “Not at all because this audio is something that you have heard, isn’t it? Haven’t you heard it, you have heard it. So what is unique in it? It’s about the procedure so in terms of the content we are not minded by that because it is something that is in the public domain.

“But as to whether you can tender a recorded audio is something that we wanted to wanted to test. That is why we are talking about law, not about public sentiment whether you are comfortable or you are not comfortable; it is about due process. We are just saying that that is due process, it can be tendered and we are going by it.”

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According to Richard Jakpa, Godfred Yeboah Dame told him during a meeting that the primary target of the case was the first accused, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.

Mr. Jakpa disclosed this information on Thursday, June 13, during cross-examination by Dr. Forson’s legal team.

He added that Mr. Dame assured him that he would be discharged during the submission of no case, which is why he chose to cooperate and share documents with the Attorney General.

Mr. Jakpa further stated that this assurance led him to believe that the Attorney General would assist him, resulting in the AG providing him with the addendum to the main contract between the Government of Ghana and Big Sea even before the prosecution had closed its case.

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This move aims to phase out the current practice where state attorneys operate from makeshift structures or within the office complexes of other state institutions.

Speaking at the commissioning of a new ten-storey office building for the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice, Godfred Dame emphasized his vision for a modern legal system.

He highlighted that, it is time for regional offices to cease perching in corners of buildings belonging to other government entities or being evicted from premises.

“Towards realising the dream of a modern public legal service, I dare say that the era where regional offices of the attorney general and the minister for justices and other agencies of the ministry perch in the corner of buildings belonging to other government institutions or are sometimes thrown out of premises in which their licensees should be over soon.

“I am of the respectful view that every regional office of the ministry of justice ought to own at least a three-storey edifice and I have commenced discussions in this regard with the World Bank towards the possibility of funding for this project,” he stated.

The Attorney General also said the new ten storeys new Law House serves as a model for the efficient use of public lands.

It will accommodate the three main divisions of the Attorney General’s office: the Civil Division, the Prosecution Division, and the Legislative Drafting Division.

In addition to numerous offices for state attorneys, the building includes a large conference room available for occasional use by the Ghana Bar Association.

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On Thursday, June 6, 2024, the presiding judge in the ambulance trial, Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, advised Mr. Dame to recuse himself from prosecuting the case, ruling on the application for mistrial filed by former Deputy Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, and Richard Jakpa.

However, Mr. Dame has announced his determination to continue leading the prosecution in the case in which the Minority Leader, along with another individual, are facing charges for causing financial loss to the state.

But speaking on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem, on Friday, June 7, 2024, Mr. Kpebu expressed his disapproval of Mr. Dame’s decision to continue the prosecution despite the judge’s advice.

“For the AG to still go ahead to prosecute the matter after the judge’s advice means he has disregarded the judge and shown no respect. What happened was an injustice. You can’t disregard the judge. Stop right there, else you are disregarding the judge” he said.

Mr. Kpebu further suggested that, the AG should have resigned, considering how he was implicated in the alleged tape.

MARTIN KPEBU ON DAME TAPE

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The AG described the application as an abuse of process and unmeritorious.

In an affidavit in opposition, the AG said no proper grounds had been canvassed by the applicant to warrant a grant of that application, which was unknown to criminal procedure and practice in Ghana.

“…That the instant application is a rush and a desperate smoke screen by the applicant to abort his legitimate prosecution for the role he played in causing financial loss to the State in the purchase of ordinary vans purporting to be ambulances,” the AG said.

The AG said the application, anchored on “untruths and a skilful manipulation of facts”, sought to cloth the applicant with immunity from prosecution and to that extent, “incompetent and offensive to Ghanaian law”.

He said the instant application was an extension of the public theatrics the accused persons had resorted to in a bid to discredit the prosecution of the case and cast doubt about the integrity of the proceedings in the Court, all of which the Attorney-General had so far observed utmost professionalism about, despite the persistent insults and abuse to his integrity by persons associated with the accused persons.

The AG said the prosecution of the accused persons in the case was based on cogent evidence unearthed after painstaking investigations conducted.

“Credible witnesses called by the prosecution have already been cross-examined by counsel for the applicant and the other accused persons, after which the Court held that a prima facie case had been duly made against all the accused persons,” it said.

The prosecution said in fairness to the accused persons, the Attorney-General duly filed all the evidence he intended to rely on at the trial and furnished all parties to that action with copies of all documents, including even the ones he did not rely on.

“In fact, most of the documents tendered by the accused persons at the trial came from the prosecution.”

The AG said the depositions in the affidavit in support of the instant application were loaded with spurious allegations, which were carefully and mischievously calculated to create unnecessary anxiety about the capacity of the court to dispense justice in the case.

He said though the applicant had levelled many “untrue and wild” allegations against the Attorney-General in his affidavit in support, none of them attacked the integrity of the Court or questioned any decision or action by the trial court, which impeded the capacity of the Court to administer justice in the case.

It said the application was “frivolous, vexatious and a complete waste of the Court’s time”.

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The company said it entered into a contract with the govern­ment of Ghana on August 4, 2015 to provide technical services to ensure efficient clearing of cargoes through the sea and airports.

However, in the course of delivering the services under the NSW, the GRA and the Ministry of Finance terminated the contract.

West Blues said they initiated the instant action against the defen­dants after attempts to recover out­standing debts through its counsel proved futile.

West Blue is claiming from the defendants the recovery of GH¢149,357,692.71, the outstanding fees payable to the plaintiff (West Blue) for services rendered to the Ministry of Finance and the GRA under the contract dated August 4, 2015 for the provi­sion of the National NSW contract from September 2015 to September 2017, at an applicable rate of 0.35 per cent of the final invoice value of import consignments entering into Ghana through the seaports, airports and land borders.

The company wanted to recover GH¢76,097,917.58, being the out­standing fees payable to the plain­tiff for services rendered to the Ministry of Finance and the GRA under the NSW contract from October 2017 to December 31, 2018, at an applicable rate of 0.28 per cent of the final invoice value of import consignments entering into Ghana through the seaports, airports and land borders.

West Blue are seeking to recover GH¢64,092,215.07, being the outstanding fees payable to the plaintiff for services rendered to the Ministry of Finance and the GRA from January 1, 2019 to May 2020 at an applicable rate of 0.28 per cent of the final invoice value of import consignments entering into Ghana through the seaports, airports and land borders.

West Blue is also claiming the recovery of the equipment it procured to perform its obligations under the NSW contract and the additional services it rendered from January 1, 2019 to May 2020 at the request of the Ministry of Finance and the GRA, which the defendants have retained or in alternative, re­covery of US$425,000.00, being the value of the equipment it procured to perform its obligations under the NSW contract and the additional services it rendered from January 1, 2019 to May 2020, which the defendants have retained.

In its statement of claim, West Blue stated that it entered into a contract with the Government of Ghana, acting through the Ministry of Finance and the GRA on August 4, 2015 for the provision of NSW contract.

It said the that the NSW con­tract was executed by the parties in furtherance of the government’s policy of adopting a National Elec­tronic Single Window as a means to, among others, increase efficiency through time and cost savings for traders in their dealing with govern­ment authorities for complying with the commercial, financial, regulato­ry, transport, and logistics require­ments for moving cargoes across national or economic borders.

The plaintiff stated that per the terms of the NSW contract, it was required to provide certain technical services and support activities to the GRA and related agencies in support of the government pro­gramme.

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According to the MP, if he is really committed to the prosecution of people engaged in illegal mining popularly known as galamsey, he would provide evidence in the report to make the work of the police easy.

After reviewing a docket submitted by the police on the allegations contained in a 36-page document by Prof. Frimpong-Boateng, the Attorney General (AG) said there was no evidence to prosecute persons named in the report.

AG claimed the heart surgeon refused to give a written statement to the police to aid in prosecution.

This position by the Attorney General, Prof Frimpong-Boateng said is not surprising since government is not committed to fighting the galamsey menace.

Reacting to this on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem, the Akyem Oda MP said Prof Frimpong-Boateng is being difficult.

“What can the Attorney General do if he is refusing to cooperate? Even NDC cannot investigate this matter with only the document” he stressed.

Mr. Acquah urged Prof. Frimpong-Boateng to provide “further and better particulars” to help the police do its work effectively.

“If he believes in what he has written, then he should work with Police. If he did that we all could have sided with him after the AG’s report,” he added.

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The purpose of the audit was to ascertain whether measures implemented by the Hydrological Services Department (HSD) of the Ministry of Works and Housing (MWH) to mitigate flooding in the country were effective and recommend appropriate corrective measures for improvement.

In spite of the investment to curtail the menace, flooding remains a problem in the country.

According to the report, NADMO, between 2015 and 2020, recorded 1,446 flood events, which caused 309 injuries, 510 deaths, 54,744 houses being inundated, and the destruction of 136,563 acres of farmlands.

The report said since 2013, the MWH and HSD had included the production of DMPs in the Ministry’s Sector Medium Term Development Plans but did not prioritise, plan and budget for their production.

“This was because HSD and the MWH did not allocate sufficient budget to cover the planned length of drains, and Ministry of Finance (MOF) did not release funds on time to complete drainage projects, causing the projects to stall,” it stated.

Over the audit period (2015-2019), 12.2km (i.e., 11%) of the targeted 110km of drains was constructed and none of the retention ponds targeted for 18 drainage basins had been done.

Read the full report here:

Each year, from 2015 to 2019, HSD significantly fell short of implementing its target of drainage facilities needed to mitigate flooding nationwide.

It further indicated that construction of 20 (i.e., 74%) of the 27 sampled projects delayed partly because of delayed payments to contractors which made them suspend works on the projects.

In addition, the report indicated that the Hydrological Services Department (HSD) did not carry out adequate monitoring and inspection of works to ensure they were done to quality standards and specifications.

The Auditor Generals’ Report found defects in 15 (i.e., 55%) of the 27 sampled projects they inspected that had not been corrected.

“The unmaintained drains had weeds, silts, and debris that impeded the smooth flow of water and reduced the effectiveness of existing drains to mitigate flooding,” it said.

Also, the HSD and the Works and Housing Ministry did not maintain completed and existing drains because maintenance was not prioritised and therefore not included in annual activity plans and budgets to enable implementation”

“For example in HSD’s 2015 Hydrological Assessment of Floods in Accra Report, a culvert located at Sakaman Filling Station on the General Ankrah High Street, constructed by DUR, was identified as inadequately sized or poorly aligned,” according to the report.

The A-G makes specific reference to the Second Reading of the tax policy, stating that 266 members were present when the question was put on the floor.

On the actual approval of the policy, Mr. Dame says voting was by a voice vote and therefore allegations about the number present are immaterial.

Minority Leader, Haruna Idrissu, and his colleagues Mahama Ayariga and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa have sued the A-G at the Supreme Court seeking to set aside the tax policy.

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They contend that Parliament did not have the constitutional threshold of half of its members present when the policy was approved.

The A-G disagrees.

Documents filed on his behalf urge the Supreme Court not to stop the E-levy from taking off on May 1 or even set aside the policy entirely.

He argues that on March 29 when the policy was approved, there were only 274 validly elected Members of Parliament and not 275 because the election of the Assin North MP, James Gyakye Quayson, had been canceled.

The A-G explains that this is a result of a Court of Appeals’ ruling on March 22 which struck out an appeal filed by Mr. Quayson.

The AG, therefore, says the number required to transact Parliamentary business on the said day was 137.

He points out that with the exception of Dome-Kwabenya MP, Sarah Adwoa Sarfo, all 137 members of the Majority side were present.

“That there is a constitutional and statutory presumption of regularity of all laws passed in Ghana and therefore an injunction to restrain the enforcement of Act 1075 is unjustified especially as plaintiffs have failed to demonstrate a cause of action, “ Mr. Dame concludes.

Chief State Attorney, Dorothy Afriyie Ansah, who represented the AG at the sub-regional court, argued that the case did not reveal any corruption.

The agreement seeks to monetise Ghana’s gold royalties to raise revenue for development.

Former Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, described the agreement as opaque with the likelihood of corruption due to the participation of politically connected persons.

Case against Agyapa

Transparency International and its partners Ghana Integrity Initiative and Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition contend that the deal would result in the people of Ghana losing their rights to 75.6% of the gold royalties in perpetuity.

The deal they continue would substantially deprive future generations of Ghanaians of their biggest asset, worth billions of dollars, in exchange for a potential $500mn equity share in a foreign SPV established in a known tax haven and secrecy jurisdiction.
 
Documents filed on behalf of the anti-graft groups note that Ghana’s Anti-Corruption Special Prosecutor, after examining the deal, described parts of it as “a surrender of Ghana’s sovereignty over its gold resource revenue for $1 billion without a thorough consultation with critical stakeholders and a meticulous examination by the people’s representatives in Parliament in a bipartisan manner.

Mineral resources conflicts have been the cause of destabilisation in neighbouring countries and Africa generally.

Therefore, they want the court to restrain the Government of Ghana from implementing the deal and cancel the already existing contracts.

AG’s response

The AG’s Office describes the Application as only a narration of facts, not disclosing any corruption.

“The present Application does not raise any cause of action against the Respondent. The Application is only a narration of facts that do not disclose any corruption nor alleged threatened breach of the rights of the ordinary citizens of Ghana.”

Documents filed by Chief State Attorney Dorothy Afriyie Ansah argued.

She explains that the transaction is to allow the country to derive maximum value for its mineral resources and sustainably monetise its mineral income.

She continues that the transaction is not about surrendering natural resources, including flora and fauna.

Mrs Afriyie Ansah also questioned the participation of Transparency International in the matter. She said it’s an International organisation not registered within the sub-region and can, therefore, not access the court.

She also noted that the two other groups have equally failed to demonstrate that they have observer status.

She, therefore, urged the court to dismiss the Application saying it was a complete waste of the court’s time.

“The application is without merit and a complete waste of the court’s time,” Mrs Ansah said.

On the report by the Special Prosecutor, Mrs Afriyie Ansah said that the document itself concedes it’s an initial report.

She pointed out that some of the findings of the Special Prosecutor do not reflect the whole truth.

The court on March 23 ordered the AG to pay Transparency International $750 for the late filing of its defence.

It has set July 13, 2022, to deliver its Judgement.

Oheneba, as he is popularly known, allegedly claimed the President had influenced some justices of the Supreme Court after the declaration of the presidential election results.

The A-G is urging the Accra High Court to commit Bennie to prison for contempt of court for alleging that President Akufo-Addo had met with eight justices of the Supreme Court, including the Chief Justice, and that the said meeting was to influence the judges in the event of any election petition.

In an application for contempt filed yesterday, the A-G averred that the comments by him were false and were meant to bring the Judiciary into disrepute.

“The respondent’s (Bennie) contumacious comments were absolutely false, as neither the Chief Justice nor any judge had either been to the Jubilee House or met anywhere with the President of Ghana following the declaration of the results of the presidential election.

“His false publication clearly intended to undermine public confidence in the Judiciary and administration of justice in Ghana generally, as well as court contempt and disaffection for the courts,” the affidavit in support for the application stated.

Background

After the declaration of President Akufo-Addo as the President–elect by the EC, Mr Bennie allegedly published a video on his Facebook wall, claiming  that President Akufo-Addo had met with eight justices of the Supreme Court, led by the Chief Justice, and had influenced them.

He claimed the President used the supposed meeting to influence the justices of the apex court to rule in his favour in the event of any election petition challenging his reelection as declared by the EC.

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In the said video, he allegedly said Ghanaians would not allow the justices of the Supreme Court to destroy the country and urged the military to stage a coup d’etat.

Violation of the Constitution

The A-G makes a case that through his publication, Mr Bennie wants to tell the public that judges, including the justices of the apex court, decide cases not independently but by taking directives from the President.

Such an assertion, the A-G argued, if allowed to go unpunished, would amount to gross disrespect for the Judiciary, which is a violation of the 1992 Constitution.

According to the A-G, Mr Bennie knew that there was a possibility of a challenge to the presidential election at the Supreme Court and, therefore, by poisoning the minds of the public against the court, he wanted to cause disaffection for the court.

“That the respondent’s disrespect for the Judiciary and the publication of false news intended to bring the Judiciary into disrepute makes him liable to be committed to prison in order to vindicate the undoubted authority of the Judiciary enshrined in Article 125 of the 1992 Constitution,’’ the affidavit in support added.

According to the 2017 audit report by the Auditor-General, the GPHA in 2011 entered into an agreement with an offshore company known as Scheepsbouw Noord for the construction and delivery of a Pilot Launch Boat.

GPHA subsequently paid 165,000 Euros out of the total contract sum of 1.1 million Euros, but the company for the past nine years has failed to honour its part of the contract.

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Appearing before PAC on Wednesday, the sector Minister said the German agent, who served as a consultant for the construction and delivery of the Pilot Launch Boat, is dead and efforts to trace his associates have been unsuccessful.

Mr Asiamah further noted that the Ministry had spent lots of monies on travels and other expenses to retrieve the money.

Responding to the Minister’s request, Chairman of PAC, James Kluste Avedzi, ordered the Ministry and GPHA to furnish the committee with all the expenses made as part of efforts to retrieve the monies from the company to inform their decision on the subject matter.

The Government of Ghana, through the Minerals Income Investment Fund, set up Agyapa Royalties Limited to receive money Ghana is supposed to earn from gold royalties.

In exchange, the company will be raising between $500 million and $750 million for the Government on the Ghana and London Stock exchanges to invest in developmental projects.

But the AG, in a document dated July 22, 2020, argued the benefits Ghana is expected to derive from the agreement are limited, given the strict obligations and sanctions attached to the deal.

Clarifying the issue, Mr Otchere-Darko, while speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen on Friday, said there is no cause for alarm as the document was concerns the office raised earlier but were addressed.

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“The AG’s letter vindicates government and it means we are not sleeping on the job because those were their comments about the agreement at the initial stages but answers have already been provided,” he said.

He stressed the job of the AG’s office is to protect the country’s interest and that was exactly what it has done.

The suit, among others, seeks to challenge the EC’s decision to exclude voters identity card and birth certificates as mode of identification and qualification to be registered onto a new Voters Register.

Mr Takyi-Banson, through his legal counsel, argued that EC’s decision to exclude the two forms of identification is inconsistent with and violates the provisions of Articles 42 and 45(e) of the 1992 Constitution.

The suit is also seeking a declaration that “upon a true and proper interpretation of Article 45 (a) of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, the EC’s constitutional and statutory mandate to compile the register of voters for the conduct and supervision of all public elections and referenda is spent saving only the power reserved in the Commission to revise and expand the register of voters at such periods as may be determined by law.”

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Mr Takyi-Banson is a member of the Centre for Ethical Governance and Administration, a research and advocacy group.

Read details of suit below:

When the case was called on Monday, December 23, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Sylvester Asare, prosecuting, told the court that they have sent the docket to the A-G’s department for study and advice.

“We pray for an adjournment to January 21 by which time, we might have received direction from the AG’s to enable us advise the court on their appropriate line of action,” he added.

The court presided over by Mrs Jane Harriet Akweley Quaye, adjourned the trial awaiting the advice from A-G’s Department.

Meanwhile, Nana Appiah, who pleaded not guilty to all 13 charges levelled against him by the state is still on his former bail of GH¢1billion with five sureties and is to report to the police every Wednesday at 1000 hours.

He has been charged with abetment of crime, defrauding by false pretences, carrying on a deposit-taking business without a license, sale of minerals without a license, unlawful deposit-taking, and money laundering.

The Prosecution had told the court that Menzgold Ghana Limited and Brew Marketing Consult Limited were private limited liability Companies incorporated under the Companies Act, 1963 (Act 179).

Nana Appiah Mensah is the CEO, Rose Tetteh, a Director and Benedicta Appiah, the Secretary of Menzgold and Brew Marketing Company.

The prosecution said in October 2018, the Police received petitions from about 16,000 complainants to the effect that Menzgold and Brew Marketing Company made a representation and invitation through its officers Nana Appiah, Rita and Benedicta to the public including; the complainants to deposit money for a fixed period with interest under pretext of purchasing gold from Brew marketing company.

He said the gold purchased from the Brew Marketing was to be traded in by Menzgold to accrue monthly interest of 10 per cent, adding that upon such representation the complainants deposited various sums of money, totalling GH¢1.6 billion.

The prosecution said Police then commenced investigations into the activities of the accused persons, but said Nana Appiah, Rita and Benedicta absconded and their offices and residence were found locked so a bench warrant was issued for their arrest.

He said on July 11, Nana Appiah arrived at the Kotoka International Airport and was arrested by the Police, and subsequently remanded into Police custody to assist investigations. Prosecution said, investigations so far disclosed that Menzgold and Brew Marketing were incorporated under the Companies Act, 1963 (Act 179) as limited liability Companies in December 2013 and December 2016.

He said the principal activities of Nana Appiah included gold and diamond mining, dealers in gold and other precious minerals, subsequently, in August 2016, he obtained a license from the state through the Minerals Commission to purchase and export gold from any person holding a small-scale mining license (small-scale miners).

ASP Asare said, however, per the terms and condition of the license, Nana Appiah was required to appoint a gold buying agent to purchase gold on its behalf from small-scale miners.

He said the accused’s appointment of a gold buying agent, led to the formation of Brew Marketing in December 2016, adding that investigations disclosed that Brew Marketing though incorporated to purchase and sell gold among others, and was not licensed by the Minerals Commission to trade in gold.

He said Menzgold through Brew Marketing after incorporation went public and invited the citizenry to deposit money with it for a fixed period with interest under the pretext of gold purchasing

Editor-In-Chief for the New Crusading Guide Newspaper, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako, has expressed disappointment over the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) interference in the row between the Auditor-General and the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO).

The veteran journalist sees the NDC’s interference in the Auditor-General and EOCO ongoing tussle as unnecessary and needless.

 “I am so disappointed in the NDC for interfering, their statement on the issue is misleading and doesn’t speak well of them. This Auditor-General/EOCO issue can do without party propaganda intrusions,” he told Peace FM monitored by Adomonline.com.

Kweku Baaku revealed that he advised Mr Domelevo, the Auditor-General to be circumspect and cautious with his utterances.

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“As a citizen and an analyst, I have tried to tell him to stay focused and not create the impression that he is not an Auditor-General, but an Agitator-General,” he said.

Mr Baako’s comments come amidst an ongoing feud between the Auditor-General and EOCO over alleged procurement breaches by the former.

Mr Domelevo, has since dragged EOCO to court, challenging its jurisdiction to investigate his office over the alleged procurement breaches.

The party has described the ongoing tussle between the Economic Organized Crime Office (EOCO) and the Auditor General a scene in the bigger plot Mr Domelovo.

The NDC has also citted the Auditor General’s surcharge of Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo Maafo over his alleged involvement in the $1 million Kroll scandal as one of the reasons why government wants to see the back of the Auditor General.

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Addressing a press conference on Monday, General Secretary of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah said, among other things that “If President Akufo-Addo was truthful and principled, he would order further investigations into the Kroll corruption scandal following which prosecution will follow against the Senior Minister.”

Below are important quotes from the press conference:

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is alleging that the government is working to ensure the removal of Daniel Domelovo from office as Auditor-General.

General Secretary of the party, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, addressing the press, blames this on a surcharge in excess of one million dollars the Audit Service imposed on Senior Minister Yaw Osafo Maafo.

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“Government is scheming to remove the Auditor-General from office because he has dared to take the fight against corruption to the highest levels of the Akufo-Addo government,” he said.

The Economic and Organised Crime Office’s (EOCO) probe of the Auditor-General’s office has been met with stiff opposition from the Auditor-General with some civil society organisations making a case for the Special Prosecutor to rather handle the matter.

The NDC, however, says the government is unhappy with Mr Domelovo’s fight against corruption some of which involves key government appointees, hence the probe by the EOCO with the end game being removal of the Auditor-General.

The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Gloria Akuffo, says her office will soon commence the prosecution of former president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kwesi Nyantakyi after a review of the docket presented by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). 

Mr Nyantakyi was being investigated by the CID for an alleged corrupt conduct following the Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ ‘Number 12’ expose. 

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But, Miss Akuffo said the prosecution delayed due to the tragic death of a member of Tiger Eye PI, Ahmed Suale who was a principal witness in the matter.

“The documents requested from the police as well as the updated report from Tiger Eye were submitted by the police in May, 2019. But unfortunately, Ahmed Suale’s death stalled the preparation of the case,” she said.

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The review of the docket, she said, has been completed and the presentation of the case in court is imminent.

Below is the full statement from AG:

The instruction of the court comes after Matin Amidu dragged the Attorney-General to the apex court on the grounds that the department failed to carry out an order to retrieve a €47 million judgement debt paid illegally to Waterville Holding.

According to the court, even though the suit filed by Mr Amidu was aimed at helping the state to retrieve the money, it did not have proper grounding as the Apex court had already made a decision on it.

It further asked the attorney general who sought for the suit to be dismissed on the basis of incompetence to engage Martin Amidu in order to get the needed information he claims is in their possession to help get the money paid.

Mr Amidu who filed the suit as a private citizen holds that it has been more than a year since the case, “Martin Amidu vs Attorney General & Waterville Holding (BVI) Limited by Martin A. B. K. Amidu” was determined by an Arbitration Tribunal but the order has not been carried out.

Source: Adomonline.com

“Nothing at all happened at the Ministries, we did not call the police, what happened was after the law students had left the Ministry,” he said.

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He made this revelation in an interview on Joy News’ evening programme, PM Express.

Mr Dame condemned the manner in which the police handled the students, saying it wasn’t the right way to go about the situation.

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He further revealed that he wasn’t bothered by the events that happened including the manner in which he was hassled by the students at the Ministry, saying that he himself had also taken part in demonstrations before and so understood the students.

Source: Adomonline.com | Fuaad Dodoo

Government is disputing claims by the Auditor-General that the Finance Ministry paid an amount of 1 million dollars to Kroll Associates, United Kingdom Limited for no work done.

According to the 2018 Auditor-General’s report on Ministries, Departments and Agencies, the Ministry of Finance acquired the services of Kroll Associates in 2017 to recover assets from identified wrongdoers, investigate allegations of wrongdoing, provide evidence for assets recoveries, build capacity for the transfer of skills, give advice on preventative techniques and structures to detect and forestall future corruption.

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However, the annual report on Public Accounts of Ghana as of 31 December 2018 revealed Kroll Associates was paid with no evidence of work done.

But, responding to the audit queries, the Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said the claim by the Auditor-General that no work was done before payment is not accurate.

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He said the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta is ready to appear before Public Accounts Committee of Parliament to present evidence to justify payments to Kroll Associates.

Source: Adomonline.com

The Supreme Court made the order in the Amidu vs. Attorney-General, Waterville Holding (BVI) Ltd & Woyome case brought before it by Martin Amidu on June 22, 2012.

In his application sighted by citinewsroom.com, the construction firm, Waterville Holding (BVI) Ltd was cited in the suit as second respondent/defendant/judgment debtor.

The Supreme Court on June 14, 2013, in a case brought before it by Mr. Amidu, against the Attorney General, Waterville Holding and Woyome in a €47,365,624 judgment debt case directed the Government of Ghana to retrieve the money from the respondents.

Martin Amidu, a former Attorney General, who dragged Waterville to court argued that the company had no contract with the government of Ghana but yet made claims for the payment of the money.

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The apex court in the case upheld that Waterville Holding’s supposed contract with the Government of Ghana in relation to the work on a stadia in Ghana ahead of the CAN 2008 tournament was not valid.

The construction company was in 2013 ordered by the Supreme Court to return to the state monies it obtained illegally out of claims it brought against the state in 2009.

Waterville subsequently appealed against the judgment at the International Court of Arbitration, a case which dragged for a while but according to information available to Mr. Amidu, an arbitration award was made in April 2018 in favour of the Government of Ghana.

Amidu in his fresh application at the Supreme Court insisted that, one year down the line, the Government of Ghana is yet to retrieve the money from Waterville.

“I contend that, it is more than one full year since the Arbitration Tribunal brought the arbitration proceedings to an end in a manner favourable to the Republic of Ghana enjoining the 1st Defendant/Respondent, whose office was held responsible for creating the unconstitutional Judgment Debt, to enforce the orders and directions given by this Honourable Court pursuant to Articles 2 and 130 of the 1992 Constitution in my favour as the Plaintiff on 14th June 2013 and for the 2nd Defendant/Respondent/Judgment Debtor herein to obey and carry out the orders and directions made against the 2nd Defendant/Respondent/Judgment Debtor by this Court on even date”, Mr. Amidu’s affidavit stated.

Amidu also argued that, he is before the Supreme Court again because the Ghana Government’s nonenforcement of the apex court’s order following the the development from the Arbitration Tribunal “for more than one full year since 30 April 2018, demonstrates that without any orders and directions from this Court to the 1st Defendant/Respondent to enforce the decision, orders and directions of this Court against the 2nd Defendant/Respondent/Judgment Debtor herein, the labour and expenses exerted by me [Martin Amidu] as the Plaintiff/Applicant who commenced this action to a successful decision by this Court for the people of Ghana would go in vain and be compromised by inaction on the part of the 1st Defendant/Respondent whose office created the unconstitutional Judgment Debt and the 2nd Defendant/Respondent/Judgment Debtor acting wittingly or unwittingly in tandem.”

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Amidu is thus appealing to the Supreme Court to make an “an order directed to the 1st Defendant/Respondent, the Attorney General, to enforce the refund of all the total Judgement Debt of €47,365,624.00 (excluding interest thereon) and for the 2nd Defendant/Respondent/Judgment Debtor to obey and carry out the orders and direction of this Court contained in the judgment, orders, and directions of the Court made in favour of the Plaintiff/Applicant herein on behalf of the people of Ghana against the 2nd Defendant/Respondent/Judgment Debtor on 14th June 2013 pursuant to Articles 2 and 129 (4) of the 1992 Constitution after the conclusion of the International Chamber of Commerce Arbitration Case No.20562/TO and the issuance of the Order for Termination of the said arbitration in four of the Republic of Ghana on 30th April 2018 and for such further or other orders as this Honourable Court shall seem meet.”

Date for hearing

The Supreme Court has scheduled the heraing of the case on October 16, 2019.

The application has been served on Ernesto Taricone, The Chairman of the Trasacco Group and said to be the Controlling Director and shareholder of Wattervile.

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Background

Waterville was in 2013 ordered by the Supreme Court to return to the state monies [€47,365,624.40] it obtained illegally out of claims it brought against the state in 2009.

Former Attorney General Martin Amidu who dragged Waterville to court argued that the company had no contract with the government but yet made claims for the payment of the money.

Waterville had filed a stay of proceedings in the High Court in November 2013 but the court dismissed it.

The construction company was in 2013 ordered by the Supreme Court to return to the state monies it obtained illegally out of claims it brought against the state in 2009.

Waterville Holding Limited subsequently dragged Ghana to the International Court of Arbitration seeking to challenge an order of the Supreme Court ordering it to pay back the judgment debt illegally paid it.

Source: Citifm

Speaking at the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) annual general conference in Takoradi on Monday, Ms Akuffo said the cases involve a total of about US$139 million and Gh¢67.3 million respectively.

She said the statistics will go up when more cases involving the banking sector are presented to the court when the courts resume from the current vacation.

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“We must urge and support the Judiciary to continue to assert its autonomy from both the Executive and Parliament and to dispense justice in accordance with the law without fear or favour,” she said.

The Attorney General noted that it was imperative for greater political will to enforce conformity with existing laws and that Ghana was blessed with “ardent civil society activism on upholding the rule of law.”

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The theme for this year’s GBA annual general conference is “Enhancing National Security through the Rule of Law; Prospects and Challenges.”

Source: Daily Graphic

Charges including abetment of unlawful training, unlawful assembly, offensive conduct conducive to the breach of peace were levelled against the nine.

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They were 85-year-old Chairman of the group, Charles Kormi Kudzordzi, Bisa Akorli, Kofi Dzreke, Thompson Tsigbe, Benjamin Agbadzada, Agbenyega Akudzi, Freemen Blikaku, and Nkpe Tsryiri Kudzo.

The nine who are members of a group calling itself the Homeland Study Group Foundation say the regions were formerly part of an independent state before being made to join Ghana in a plebiscite.

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They had set May 9, 2019, as the date to declare independence when law enforcement agencies affected their arrest.

Senior state Attorney, Winifred Sarpong, on Monday told the court she had been instructed by her office to withdraw the case. Presiding judge Justice Jerome Nkrumah struck out the case as withdrawn.

Source: Ghana | Joy News | Joseph Ackah Blay

Pressure Group, Occupy Ghana, has welcomed efforts of Auditor-General which has led to the recovery of over ¢67 million to government coffers through surcharged certificates issued to individuals and organisations.

But a member of the group, Nana Sarpong Agyemang Badu, wants the Auditor-General to ensure criminal prosecution where necessary.

Speaking on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem Friday, he said the group was happy about the development.

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“We are very happy to hear that the AG has been able to retrieve this huge money from these individuals but that shouldn’t be all. They should go ahead and report to the police to take over criminal investigations and prosecute them accordingly,” he said.

In June 2017, the Supreme Court granted reliefs sought by pressure group, OccupyGhana, in respect of the Auditor-General’s powers of disallowance and surcharges.

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The apex court directed the Auditor-General to issue disallowance and surcharges in respect of all state monies found to have been expended contrary to law.

The court also granted that the Auditor-General must take steps to recover all amounts lost to the state, including private persons.

Acting Public Relations Officer of the Audit Service, Benard Conduah in a release said the service “issued 112 Surcharge Certificates to individuals and organisations and recovered a total amount of ¢67,315,066.12 into government chest” between June 14, 2017 and November 30, 2018.

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But the Pressure Group, Occupy Ghana wants the Auditor General to not only surcharge corrupt officials but also prosecute them.

He believes the prosecution will serve as a deterrent to others.

She has also confirmed that there have been similar incidents of break-ins and thefts at the department this year.

According to her, the last incident occurred in May this year.

“Anything is possible, whether the person is from outside or within, whether an outsider and insider collaborated, they are all possible,” she told Adom News, Thursday.

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It emerged on Wednesday that some unidentified persons have been staging frequent break-ins at the offices of the Ministry of Justice.

One of the topmost officers affected is the Director of Public Prosecutions, Yvonne Attakorah Obuobisa, whose office was broken into in March this year. In that incident, the burglars took away a laptop computer and a printer.

It is unclear the sort of documents and programmes that were installed on the computer and whether they have any consequences on cases that the Attorney-General’s office is prosecuting or studying.

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Speaking to Adom News, the Attorney-General explained that the contract of the security company that was in charge, Thomas Security Company Limited’s (T.S.S.L.), expired in April 2018 so the department decided to terminate the contract to secure the services of a new company.

“I contacted my brother the IGP [David Asante-Apeatu] and asked him to recommend a security company for me since he knows the best and God being so good, we have never experienced any robbery from the beginning of May when the new company took over till date,” she indicated.

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Gloria Akuffo said she suspects the robbery could be engineered from within because the entrance to the offices in question were never tampered with and the abating of the occurrences upon the takeover by the new company.

The incidents were revealed Wednesday, August 29, by Frederick Asiamah, an investigator on Corruption Watch, a segment on the Super Morning Show on Joy FM.