ACCRA, Ghana, 22 December: The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has announced that the state will prosecute Wontumi Farms and its directors over alleged financial crimes involving the Ghana Export-Import Bank (EXIM Bank).
Dr. Ayine also disclosed that the founder of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), Percival Kofi Akpaloo, together with other accomplices, will be charged with forgery and related offences following investigations into alleged financial impropriety surrounding a COCOBOD feeder roads contract.
Addressing the media in Accra on Monday, December 22, the Attorney General revealed that investigations conducted by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) have uncovered sufficient evidence to support charges including defrauding by false pretences, forgery, and causing financial loss to the state.
According to him, the alleged financial loss in the EXIM Bank case currently stands at GHS24,255,735, representing the principal amount involved plus accrued interest. He cautioned that the figure could increase further due to compounded interest before charges are formally filed.
Dr. Ayine indicated that prosecution will commence after the Christmas break, once EXIM Bank confirms the final outstanding amount.
LISTEN TO DOMINIC AYINE ON WONTUMI FARMS IN THE AUDIO BELOW:
COCOBOD Feeder Roads Contract Case
On the COCOBOD-related matter, the Attorney General explained that the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) initially flagged suspicious transactions on an account belonging to Pomaa Universal Ghana Limited, a company linked to Mr. Akpaloo.
The FIC subsequently filed a suspicious transaction report with First Bank Ghana Limited.
Following the report, EOCO launched investigations which revealed that Pomaa Universal Ghana Limited is a legitimate company owned by a woman identified as Akua Pomaa.
The company was awarded a feeder roads contract by COCOBOD in December 2020, valued at GHS29.5 million. While the project commenced and initial payments were duly made into the company’s account, investigators later detected irregular transactions that raised serious concerns.
Dr. Ayine stated that Akua Pomaa was unaware of both the existence of Pomaah Ghana Limited and the diversion of funds until COCOBOD contacted her in June 2024 over outstanding balances on the contract. Further investigations revealed that payments meant for her company had been collected and redirected without her knowledge or consent.
The Attorney General further disclosed that Akua Pomaa has alleged that her signature was forged on the COCOBOD contract. The document was allegedly signed using her former name, Mercy Owusu, without her authorisation.
He added that First Bank Ghana Limited conducted an internal investigation and confirmed the fraud allegations, concluding that Mr. Akpaloo knowingly misrepresented ownership of the cheques and deposited them into the wrong account.
Dr. Ayine assured the public that the government remains committed to holding all persons found culpable accountable, regardless of political affiliation or status.
LISTEN TO DOMINIC AYINE ON KOFI AKPALOO IN THE AUDIO BELOW:
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites✍️)/Ahotoronline.com | Ghana 🇬🇭