Contractors on the Saglemi housing project diverted about US$40 million even before work on the project began, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako, a seasoned journalist, has alleged.
The editor-in-chief at large of the New Crusading Guide newspaper said the alleged diversion may have affected completion of the stalled affordable housing project under the Mahama-led government.
Speaking on The Asaase Breakfast Show on Friday (6 August), Baako said: “The Ghana government paid US$80 million [as a first tranche to the contractor], as required by the agreement.
“And on 13 April 2013, $40 million of this $80 million – that is apparently before the works had started – a senior member of that company [the contractor, Construtora OAS Ghana Ltd] had organised what he claims to be a loan from the company to the company’s partner outside the country,” Baako said.
“So, $40 million from the $80 million was not used to do anything in this country, straight away moved out. How was the work going to be effectively done? Just ask yourself. And you see, this is what some of these companies do to countries like Ghana,” Baako said.
He said the company in question was “under intense scrutiny by the Brazilian state for corruption-related activities”, hence the diversion of the funds to solve an insolvency problem.
“If 50% of that $80 million was flighted out of the country, obviously it will affect the work, so that one, 40 million … went somewhere. It was chopped outside Ghana.”
Not guilty
Meanwhile, all five accused persons in the case of the Republic vs. Collins Dauda and four others (the Saglemi affordable housing project case) have pleaded not guilty to all charges preferred against them by the state.
The five accused – Collins Dauda, Kwaku Agyeman-Mensah, Alhaji Ziblim Yakubu, Andrew Clocanas and Nouvi Tetteh Angelo – have together been charged on 52 counts for various roles they played in an agreement that the Attorney General says has resulted in financial loss to the state to the tune of roughly $200 million.
Appearing before Justice Comfort Tasiame’s court (Criminal High 4), the accused persons denied wrongdoing in response to all the charges.
Bail application
Lawyers for the accused moved swiftly to apply for bail for their clients.
The Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, did not oppose the bail application.
However, he asked the court to set stringent conditions to ensure that the accused will present themselves to stand trial in the Saglemi case.
Conditions for bail
The court, in granting the accused bail, set the threshold in the sum of $12.5 million for the first accused. Although Dauda’s bail is on self-recognisance, he is to deposit his passport at the registry of the high court.
The second and third accused were each admitted to bail in the sum of $65 million or its cedi equivalent with three sureties, one of the sureties to be a civil or public servant. The accused must deposit their passports with the court registrar.
The fourth accused was also admitted to bail in the sum of $179 million or its cedi equivalent with three sureties, one being a public officer. He, too, has been ordered to deposit his passport at the registry.
The fifth accused person was also admitted to bail in the sum of $13 million or its cedi equivalent with three sureties, one being a public officer. He is also ordered to deposit his passport at the registry.
The court adjourned sitting on the Saglemi case to Wednesday 13 October 2021.
Legal representation
Attorney General Dame led the legal team for the state.
He was supported by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, and the chief state attorney, Evelyn Daawee-Keelson.
Thaddeus Sory, who appeared with Baffour Ashia and was led by Joe Reindorf, represented the first accused.
Edudzi Tameklo appeared for the second and third accused, with Reindorf Twumasi Ankrah representing the fourth.
The fifth and last accused person was ably represented by Maxwell Agbambilla.
Charges applicable
Overall, four charges have been preferred against the accused persons. They are:
- intentionally misapplying public property, contrary to Section 1(2) of the Public Property Protection Act 1977 (SMCD 140);
- wilfully causing financial loss to the republic, contrary to Section 179a(3)(a) of the Criminal Offences Act 1960 (Act 29);
- issuing a false certificate, contrary to Sections 1 and 2 of the Government Contracts (Protection) Act 1979 (AFRCD 58); and
- dishonestly causing loss of public property, contrary to Section 2(1) of the Public Property Protection Act 1977 (SMCD 140).
The charge sheet lists 52 counts in total.
Fred Dzakpata
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