Intensify seizure of assets of corrupt officials – Experts say as Corruption Watch launches Webcast series

Two anti-corruption experts have said the recent order by an Accra High Court for the seizure of assets of persons convicted in the NCA case is a significant deterring anti-corruption measure.

Overall, they view Justice Eric Kyei Baffour’s judgement as the clearest indication yet of the application of laws to combat corruption.

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Ato Essien wants charges dropped, moves to refund ¢27.5m to state

The founder of Capital Bank William Ato is said to have begun negotiations with the Attorney General to have some of the charges brought against him dropped.

This was disclosed in court by lawyers for Mr Essien, Thursday.

According to the lawyers who led by Thadeus Sory, they are engaging the A-G based on section 35 of the courts’ act.

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Judgement in NCA case “reasoned and solid” – Private legal practitioner Korieh Duodu


A private legal practitioner and anti-corruption expert, Korieh Duodu, has said the decision by the court in the NCA case provides the clearest indication yet of the application of laws to combat corruption.
In an interview with Corruption Watch he explained the decision also showed how state agencies could work together to ensure corruption cases are effectively investigated, prosecuted, accused persons convicted and the proceeds of the crime potentially recovered.


“Well, I think that this is a reasoned and solid judgement, delivered after a case has been investigated and prosecuted over two-and-a-half years…And I would say that this is a significant case with important ramifications in Ghana’s fight against corruption because it has a number of powerful features to it which should stand Ghana in good stead in recovering stolen funds in future.”


The full interview with Corruption Watch’s Frederick Asiamah is to be broadcast on Corruption Watch’s podcast soon.In the same podcast, Mrs Linda Ofori-Kwafo, Executive Director of Ghana Integrity Initiative, views the judgement as a shot in the arm for anti-corruption crusaders. “I think it’s a boost and reassurance that there is hope and that if we continue to do the right things we are likely to get the results that we are looking for.”

Source: Frederick Asiamah

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Breakdown of the NCA scandal

The NPP government’s first attempt at prosecuting alleged corrupt persons when it took office was when the Attorney General’s (AG) Department arraigned before court, persons allegedly involved in the $6million National Communications Authority (NCA) corruption case. This was in December 2017.

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Contempt Ruling Against Domelevo Demoralising Corruption Fight – George Loh

Lawyer and former legislator, George Loh, has described the contempt conviction against the Auditor-General, Daniel Domelevo as a blow to the fight against corruption in the country.

Speaking to Citi News, Mr. Loh said it “was not prudent for a judge to convict him [Mr. Domelevo] for contempt of court.”

“That way you are demoralising the whole architecture for fighting corruption,” he added.

Mr. Domelevo was found guilty of contempt of court for failing to respond to a suit filed by the Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo-Maafo, which was challenging a $1 million surcharge.

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Amidu eligible to be Special Prosecutor – Supreme Court rules

The Supreme Court has in a majority 5:2 decision ruled that Martin Amidu is eligible to hold office as Special Prosecutor.

The decision read by Chief Justice Anin Yeboah means the retirement age for employees of public service does not apply to the office of Special Prosecutor.

Former Deputy Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine who filed the case said per the true and proper interpretation of Articles 190(1)(d), 199(1) and 295 of the 1992 Constitution, the retirement age of all holders of public offices created pursuant to Article 190 (1)(d) is 60 years, and not beyond 65 years.

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CWatch reflections: Non-performing and corrupt contractors need to be blacklisted.

Imagine this, if you will. A company is given taxpayers’ money to construct a hospital, which should provide healthcare services; or a road for your safe travel; or a school for the training of our children. What happens next? The company either fails to deliver or does a substandard job. Your response I guess will be that they should be sanctioned. Isn’t it? But guess what, the company gets away with it.

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Publish intention to procure items through single-sourcing – Martin Kpebu to govt

Private legal practitioner, Lawyer Martin Kpebu, has cautioned the Government of Ghana to think beyond the law by publishing any intention to procure anything through single-sourcing for the fight against COVID -19 before a decision to procure is concluded.

Speaking on the Corruption Watch show on Adom FM, he disclosed that although the procurement law permits the practice of single-sourcing during emergencies like in the case of COVID -19, first publishing the intension before activating that provision by the law will attract proposals from experts to ensure that only people with the requisite expertise are contracted to avoid errors and regrets.

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Why Tackling Corruption Is Crucial to the Global Coronavirus Response

The dusty border town of Taftan in western Pakistan is a frequent stopover for religious pilgrims. Many members of the country’s Shiite minority pass through it en route to visit holy sites in neighboring Iran. But after Iran emerged as one of the countries hit hardest by the coronavirus, the Pakistani government set up a quarantine camp in Taftan to prevent further movement, inadvertently turning the town into an epicenter for the spread of COVID-19. Testing in the camp is sporadic at best, while health facilities are abysmal. Many pilgrims reportedly paid bribes to escape back into Pakistan, and as recently as the end of March, hundreds of people were still crossing the border at Taftan, despite rules to prevent them. Some officials in the region believe that 95 percent of Pakistan’s coronavirus cases are due to “mismanagement” at the Taftan camp.

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TOR MD, Asante Berko resigns after SEC corruption charge

Asante K. Berko, the Managing Managing of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) has resigned, two days after the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged him in a New York court for violating the US Foreign Corrupt Practice Act (FCPA).

Berko who was appointed MD of the country’s only oil refinery in January 2020, tendered in his resignation today April 15, 2020, and the President has accepted it.

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