The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has reportedly carried out simultaneous raids on the offices of Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) in Osu and Tema. This significant development marks a deepening of the OSP’s investigation into the controversial SML scandal, which has already implicated former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta as a suspect.
According to veteran investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, who broke the news on his website, manassehazure.com, the raids were executed with the backing of the National Security Secretariat and were conducted under official search warrants. The OSP’s primary objective during these operations was reportedly to secure “electronic information from the company’s servers,” indicating a focused effort to gather crucial digital evidence.
The SML scandal centers on agreements between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). SML was initially contracted by the previous Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration to provide real-time monitoring and audit services. The aim was to bolster tax compliance and ensure revenue assurance specifically within Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector.
However, the scope of this contract saw a dramatic expansion in 2023. It was controversially extended to include upstream petroleum activities and the vital mining sector, a move that immediately triggered widespread public scrutiny and concern. This expansion raised questions about the necessity and value for money of SML’s services across such diverse and critical sectors of the economy.
The financial implications of the SML contract were substantial. By the time the government, under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, eventually suspended the agreement in 2024 following a detailed audit by KPMG, an staggering GH¢1.06 billion had already been disbursed to SML. The projected cost to the state, had the contract been allowed to run its full course, was estimated to hit an astronomical GH¢5.17 billion over a mere five-year period.
The scandal has drawn significant attention from Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), who have been vocal in their demands for accountability. A coalition of five Non-Governmental Organisations has even taken legal action against the previous government, filing a lawsuit to push for the recovery of the GH¢1 billion already paid to SML, underscoring the public’s demand for restitution.
The OSP’s latest move, the coordinated raids on SML’s premises, signals an advanced stage in its investigation. With a former high-ranking government official already declared a suspect and a wanted fugitive in connection with this probe, the stakes are undeniably high. The focus on securing electronic data suggests the OSP is building a robust case, potentially uncovering further details about the nature of the contracts, the services rendered, and the justification for the significant payments made to SML.
This ongoing investigation is crucial for upholding public trust and ensuring transparency in government contracts. It highlights the critical role of independent investigative bodies like the OSP in scrutinizing agreements that carry substantial financial implications for the state. As the OSP delves deeper into SML’s operations and finances, the nation awaits further clarity and, potentially, accountability for all parties involved in this high-profile scandal.
Source: Thepressradio.com
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