The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has released updates on its prosecutions, revealing that it has been actively pursuing cases against six individuals for alleged corruption-related offences since August 2021.
Among the notable cases mentioned by the OSP is the trial of the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) nominee for Juaben, Alexander Kwabena.
The MCE nominee faces 26 counts of corruption related to a public election. The court is set to decide on the defence's submission of a “no case” on January 23, 2024.
In another corruption scandal, the OSP disclosed that the prosecution had closed its case in the trial involving the former Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Development Authority, Sumaila Abdul Rahman, his two deputies, and a private contractor.
The charges relate to a bloated contract for a poverty eradication program exceeding five million cedis.
The defence is expected to file a submission of no case to answer by January 4, 2024, with the prosecution responding by January 25, 2024.
The case is adjourned to February 12, 2024, for mention.
The trial of the former Chief Executive of the Public Procurement Authority, Adjenim Boateng, and his brother-in-law is ongoing before the Criminal Division of the High Court, Accra.
Mr Adjenim faces multiple counts of using public office for profit and influencing the procurement process, while his brother-in-law, Francis Kwaku Arhin, is charged with using public office for profit.
The case is adjourned to March 4, 2024, for the continuation of cross-examination of the first Prosecution witness.
Regarding the case involving former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah, the OSP reported that the accused's plea is yet to be taken, and the docket is awaiting assignment to a new judge. The case is adjourned to December 22, 2023.
The OSP clarified that these cases are distinct from interim applications where the courts have prohibited the office from making arrests, conducting investigations, or seizing assets of the implicated individuals as suspects and respondents.