Why Bawumia’s Administrator Is Under OSP Investigations

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) threw the public into curiosity after announcing the arrest of an administrator at the Office of Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia together with three others for failing to declare their income source.

Except for the facts sheet of the OSP which revealed the accused persons are under investigation for corruption and corruption-related offences in relation to the importation of 250 metric tonnes of Lele rice from Thailand, no more details were given.

It appears the OSP, in the course of the investigations, had written to the four to declare their income source and properties, however, they reportedly failed to comply.

A press statement from the Office of the Vice President dated February 14 provided the clarification needed.

Per the statement, the administrator in question, Mr James Keck Osei, wrote a letter to the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) on April 27, 2022, seeking assistance to clear 15 containers of Lele rice for the Ramadan festivities.

According to the press statement from the secretary to the Vice President, Augustine Blay, the communication by Mr Keck Osei was unauthorised and false.

“The Ghana Revenue Authority did not comply with Mr Keck Osei’s letter but rather informed him that there was another claimant to the rice. On receipt of this information, Mr James Keck Osei wrote another letter on 5th July 2022, to withdraw his letter of 27th April 2022.

“In this second letter, Mr Osei stated that the Commissioner should cancel any prior action taken based on his previous letter. In September 2022, it came to the attention of the Office of the Vice President that Mr James Keck Osei has been invited to the Office of the Special Prosecutor to assist in an investigation related to rice importation.”

The press release noted that the OSP’s investigation led to his arrest on Friday, February 10 and the subsequent arraignment in court on February 13, 2023, where he was granted bail.

The Office of the vice president emphasised, “It is ONLY the Secretary to the Vice President who is mandated to write letters on behalf of the Office of the Vice President and Mr Keck Osei did not have any such authority”.

According to the statement, Mr Keck Osei is also being investigated by the Chief Director at the Office of the President in accordance with the civil service procedures, rules and regulations.

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini