OSP to Arraign Ofori-Atta, 7 Others on Nov. 24 Over 78-Count Corruption Case
Office of the Special Prosecutor
Accra, Ghana —The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has announced that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and seven other individuals will be arraigned before the High Court (Criminal Division) on Monday, November 24, 2025, over their alleged involvement in the controversial Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) revenue assurance contracts.
The move follows the filing of 78 criminal charges against the former minister and other senior former officials of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), as well as SML executives, in what the OSP describes as a coordinated scheme to improperly influence procurement processes and secure unlawful gains.
In a statement posted on its official Facebook page, the OSP said prosecutors will also seek court permission to serve charges on fugitives currently outside Ghana.
The accusations include breaches of:
Section 23(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) — Conspiracy to commit a criminal offence
Section 92(2)(b) of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663) — Direct or indirect attempt to influence the procurement process for unfair advantage
According to excerpts of the charge sheet filed on Tuesday, November 18, under case number CR/0106/2026, the accused persons are alleged to have conspired to manipulate the procurement system to grant SML an illegitimate advantage in the award of several revenue assurance contracts, including petroleum audits, minerals audits, and transaction verification services.
The OSP’s filing describes the alleged conduct as a “criminal enterprise” that resulted in significant financial losses to the state.
Those expected to appear before the court on November 24 include:
Ken Ofori-Atta, former Minister for Finance
Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, former Commissioner-General, GRA
Emmanuel Kofi Nti, former Commissioner-General, GRA
Isaac Crentsil, former Commissioner of Customs
Kwadwo Damoa, former Commissioner of Customs
Ernest Akore, former Technical Advisor, Ministry of Finance
Evans Adusei, owner of Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited
Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML)
The OSP maintains that the contracts awarded to SML had no legitimate operational need, adding that the procurement procedures were bypassed and payments were made automatically without adequate verification of services rendered.
The arraignment is expected to open a major corruption trial with significant political and economic implications, given the scale of alleged financial loss and the prominence of the officials involved.
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