Recuse Yourself From Adu Boahen Investigations; Sulemana Braimah Tells SP
The Executive Director for Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Sulemana Braimah has called on Special Prosecutor (SP) Kissi Agyebeng to recuse himself from investigations into corruption and corruption-related offence levelled against former Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Charles Adu Boahen in “Galamsey Economy”.
This comes after a press statement from the SP announced the commencement of an investigation into the allegation.
Braimah suggested the Deputy Special Prosecutor, Vivian Lamptey should take over to avoid a possible conflict of interest.
He takes into consideration the relationship between the Special Prosecutor and Anas Aremeyaw Anas, the head of Tiger Eye P.I- the investigative firm that sanctioned the investigative piece that implicated Adu Boahen.
He notes that Kissi Agyebeng co-owns Cromwell Grey LLP with Anas and worked as a Lawyer for Anas and Tiger Eye P.I.
“Cromwell Grey LLP continue to serve as and remains lawyers for Anas as evidenced in a recent statement by the firm in relation to the recent Supreme Court decision that said Anas can only appear in person (not in-camera) to testify in court in the ongoing prosecution of Mr Kwesi Nyantakyi in relation to Anas’ “Number 12” publication.
“Cromwell Grey LLP as a law firm was set up by Anas and Kissi Agyebeng as Partners. In other words, Kissi and Anas are the owners of Cromwell Grey LLP, the law firm that is still representing Anas.
“In fact, as of yesterday November 15, 2022, when Kissi Agyebeng issued the statement announcing the commencement of investigations into the allegations of corruption levelled against Charles Adu Boahen by Anas, the website of Cromwell Grey LPP (set up by the Special Prosecutor and Anas), still had the Special Prosecutor listed as Managing Partner with another staff of the OSP and defender of Anas, Samuel Appiah Darko, also listed as an Associate of the law firm.”
If he opts to recuse himself from the investigations, Braimah says it must be done “publicly”.
Background
The President terminated the appointment of the Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Charles Adu Boahen over corruption and corruption-related offences on November 14, 2022, and referred the case to the Office of the Special Prosecutor for further investigation.
Per the statement, the decision to terminate the appointment was after the President became aware of allegations levelled against him in “Galamsey Economy”- the new documentary by Tiger Eye P.I, an investigative firm headed by Investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
A part of the investigative piece captures Adu Boahen allegedly engaged in influence peddling and taking bundles of US Dollars (bribe) from an undercover journalist disguised as a potential investor for Ghana to lead him to the vice president.
According to a publication of a part of the documentary by Anas- head of Tiger Eye- Adu Boahen told the investor the vice president needed USD200,000 as an appearance fee as well as secured positions for his siblings in exchange for his attention and endorsement.
“You mean, like appearance fees and stuff? I mean he, himself (the Vice President), if you give him some (USD) 200,000 or something as a token, as thank you, appreciation, that’s fine. He’s not really, he’s not really (like) that. All he needs is to worry about his campaign money in 2020,” Charles Adu Boahen revealed.
“So, if you come with 3 or 4 projects and you say, we are doing this, we are doing that, (and) we are prepared to write a cheque for this, write a cheque (for that). You see, he has a big family. (The) Vice President has about 5 or 6 brothers and sisters. So, what may be, will happen is; if you tell him (the Vice President) that, hey, look, I want to do this project, do you have somebody that I can work with that you will introduce me to? And then, you know, he (the Vice President) will use that to immediately put his brother to work with us on a particular project. That’s how we would be able to work with him (the Vice President). You know what I mean? You see what I’m saying? And the development of his businesses,” the Minister of State in charge of Finance in the Office of the President added.
He added, “But you know (that) at the operational level, the Vice President is the one who handles everything. So, he’s the guy we should go and meet.”
Denying taking “appearance fees” and knowledge of the meeting between Adu Boahen and the supposed investor, the Vice President said he will not allow anyone to use his name for corrupt practices and called for the dismissal of Adu Boahen.
“I would like to state that if what the minister is alleged to have said is accurately captured in the video, then his position as a minister of state is untenable. He should be dismissed summarily and investigated.
“I am not aware of any such meeting held by Minister Adu Boahen or a supposed “appearance fee”. My most cherished asset in life is my integrity and I will not allow anyone to use my name to engage in corrupt activities.”
On the other hand, Adu Boahen indicated that the expose was a snare he survived back in 2018.
“There was an attempt to trap me in 2018”, he said adding, “substantively, I have not been involved in this act of which I am being accused”.
He also called for a full investigation into the allegation.
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
