Why OSP Considers Former Airports Company Board Chair A Suspect

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has invited the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), Paul Adom Otchere.

He is currently deemed a suspect and required to provide answers in an ongoing investigation into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences.

The issue at hand relates to the Revenue Assurance Audit Services agreement between Ghana Airports Company Limited. (GACL) and Evatex Logistics Limited.

He was therefore directed to report to the Office of the Special Prosecutor, located at 6 Haile Selassie Avenue, South Ridge, Accra, on Thursday, 31 July 2025 at 3:00 pm for an interview.

“You may be accompanied by legal counsel of your choice.”

Proposed Rescheduling
In response to the letter, lawyers of Adom Otchere, who is the host of the Good Evening Ghana show, proposed rescheduling the date to August 2, 2025, citing their inability to accompany him.

Refusal
The OSP in a reply letter refused to reschedule the meeting date.

“While a suspect is entitled to legal representation of their choice, it must be understood that law firms operate as chambers comprising multiple lawyers. In circumstances where a particular lawyer is unavailable, any other qualified lawyer from the same firm may represent the suspect without prejudice to his right to counsel.

It warned that failure to appear as directed may amount to obstruction or non-cooperation, and the Office reserves the right to take appropriate legal action, including compulsion measures, in accordance with the law.

Events
Adom Otchere took to his platform on Thursday morning to absolve himself of all blame.

He said the issue dates back to 2022 at a time when the GACL was in dire need of revenue.

“There was not enough money in the system, so the Board invited the Minister to discuss fees and charges. The Minister refused, citing the hardship brought by Covid and the Ukraine war and suggested non-aeronautical measures to raise funds.”

He said Evatex Logistics Limited contacted the Board and proposed to help the company maximise its profits from cargo.

He said the Board invited the leader of the said company for a presentation during which he requested access to GACL systems to prove his point.

“After that, they came to the Board for the second presentation during which he convinced the Board, so we directed the Management to work with the company and report back to us.”
“The Management came back to the Board and told us the company had brought a workable proposal. The proposal requested 20% of whatever they gain for the GACL on top of what we were getting already. The Board rejected the 20% and agreed on 16%.”

Innocence
According to him, that was the last time he heard of the deal, which was signed on December 3, 2024, four days before the general elections.

“I didn’t know they had signed the contract. Manasseh Azure called me two weeks ago to tell me the contract was signed on December 4, three days before the election.”

The visibly shaken host posited in his broadcast that matters relating to the Public Procurement have nothing to do with the Board Chairman, adding that he has no interest in the said company.

“When the Management is doing a PPA contract under the law, they don’t come to the Board. They only come to the Board when the threshold is beyond so there are many contracts the Management does the Board is not aware of and we don’t have to be aware of it because they are doing their work but when the cross the threshold where the MD doesn’t have capacity to approve it, they come to the Board.”

“I don’t have any interest in any of the companies. I don’t know who they are. They are not my friend and I don’t know where they came from.”

He also affirmed that there was no financial obligation tied to the deal.

“There is no commitment from the Ghana Airports Service.”

Source: https://opemsuo.com/author/hajara-fuseini/