|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Accra, Ghana — The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has informed the Accra High Court that Ghana is currently awaiting outcomes from legal matters in the United States involving two key figures accused in the high‑profile Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) / Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) revenue assurance scandal.
At the centre of the controversy are former Finance Minister Ken Ofori‑Atta and his former Chef de Cabinet, Ernest Darko Akore, both of whom are presently in the United States and are yet to return to face trial in Ghana.
Mr. Kissi Agyebeng, Ghana’s Special Prosecutor, told the court that authorities are waiting on the results of separate legal processes in the U.S. that may determine whether the two individuals can be extradited or legally served with court papers while abroad. The extradition request is part of ongoing efforts by the OSP to secure their physical presence for trial.
Ofori‑Atta and Akore are accused alongside several others of orchestrating and enabling a criminal enterprise that channelled large state funds to SML through revenue assurance contracts with the Ghana Revenue Authority — contracts whose legitimacy and performance have been the subject of intense scrutiny and public criticism.
The prosecution’s charge sheet alleges that the arrangement resulted in massive financial loss to the state and involved breaches of procurement and parliamentary oversight laws.
While other co‑accused have appeared in court and been granted bail under strict conditions, the absence of Ofori‑Atta and Akore has slowed the judicial process and made the trial’s full progression contingent upon whether the U.S. will approve extradition or allow legal service to proceed there.
The case has captured national attention as one of the most consequential corruption prosecutions in recent Ghanaian history, with legal teams on both sides preparing for potentially prolonged litigation before matters are finally resolved.
Story: EfuaNessa
Source: Loco tv