Accra: The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has announced that a separate investigation into the activities of former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, is currently underway. This new probe is distinct from the ongoing SML case and involves both local and international investigators focusing on offshore dealings linked to Ofori-Atta.
According to Ghana Web, Dr. Ayine revealed during an interview on JoyNews that the investigation is still in its early stages and has not yet reached any definitive conclusions. He emphasized the involvement of foreign investigators who are tracking offshore transactions, while local authorities conduct their own investigations. “They are inconclusive, as we speak,” he noted, indicating that the investigation is complex and ongoing.
Dr. Ayine further clarified that this investigation is entirely separate from previous high-profile inquiries associated with Ken Ofori-Atta. While refraining from divulging any specific details, he described the findings as ‘potentially mind-blowing.’ “It’s different, totally different [from the SML investigations] and potentially mind-blowing, but I will not give any details at this point in time,” he stated.
Meanwhile, in the SML case involving Ofori-Atta and others, the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, has detailed the origins of the SML company. He described the company as a vehicle for leveraging ‘public office for private benefit,’ allegedly spearheaded by the former finance minister. The investigations indicate that the company, originally named Strategic Mobilisation Enhancement Limited (SMEL), was established shortly after Ofori-Atta assumed office in 2017. Despite not being officially listed in SMEL’s records, Ofori-Atta is alleged to have been the mastermind behind its operations.
The Special Prosecutor also noted that the company, incorporated by Evans Adusei, was presented to the Public Procurement Authority for a sole-source contract, positioned as a service provider for customs operations. This has raised further questions about the involvement of Ken Ofori-Atta and other officials in the expedited approval and implementation of the SML deal.
Source: Ghana Web