Special Prosecutor Drags 4 Persons Using Former Vice President Bawumia's Office For Frâüd To Court
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has slapped four public officials with corruption charges in connection with a high-profile attempt to unlawfully acquire 10 containers of imported rice at the Tema Port.
Persons facing the accusations have been identified as Issah Seidu of the National Insurance Commission, James Keck Osei, a former Director at the former Vice President’s Secretariat, and Customs officers John Abban and Peter Archibold Hyde.
In a statement issued by the OSP, the accused allegedly conspired to seize the containers using forged documents from the Office of the Vice President.
The rice was legally imported from Thailand in 2022, and all required duties had been duly paid
However, according to court filings, Seidu allegedly attempted to secure the release of the containers through the Ghana Revenue Authority's auction process under false pretences.
They reportedly manipulated official processes to divert the containers for their gain.
Their plans were exposed after an Internal investigation by the Ghana Revenue Authority and a High Court ruling
"Their plot collapsed after internal investigations and a High Court ruling exposed the scheme." The OSP noted.
The four accused persons are expected to be arraigned on June 27 to answer multiple counts of conspiracy to commit a cr!me, corruption, and âbusé of public office.