OSP amends charges in SML contract case against Ken Ofori-Atta

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has amended the charges against Ken Ofori-Atta, former Finance Minister, and seven others.

The accused persons were variously charged with 78 counts, including causing financial loss to the state.

Following the amendment, the charges have now been reduced to 75 counts.

The court, therefore, retook the pleas of the accused persons. They maintained a plea of not guilty on all charges levelled against them.

The OSP also informed the court that they had filed two additional witness statements.

It said the extradition process against the former Finance Minister and the court processes, including charges and facts, had been forwarded to the United States Justice Department.

Ken Ofori-Atta is facing immigration related issues and Ghana's extradition processes.

He and Ernest Darko Akore are yet to appear before Ghana's court to answer to the charges levelled against them.

The OSP informed the court that Akore, the second accused person, was yet to be served with the summons.

Ken Ofori-Atta and seven others were hauled to court over alleged financial appropriation in respect of the Strategic Mobilization Limited (SML) GHC 1.4 million Contract.

The five other accused persons are Emmanuel Kofi Nti and Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, former Commissioners General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Isaac Crenstil, former Custom Commissioner, Evans Aduei, Chief Executive Officer of SML, Colonel Kwadwo Damoah, former Commissioner of Customs Division. SML as an entity is also part.

They have been admitted to bail after being charged with conspiracy to commit crime and causing financial loss to the state among other charges.

GNA