Five persons charged alongside former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, for allegedly causing financial loss of more than GH¢1.4 billion in the Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) contract saga have pleaded not guilty to charges filed by the Special Prosecutor.
The accused persons in the case are Emmanuel Kofi Nti and Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah - both former Commissioner-Generals of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Isaac Crentsil and Kwadwo Damoah — former Commissioners of the Customs Division of the GRA, Ernest Darko Akore — an aide to Ofori-Atta during his tenure as Minister of Finance, Evans Adusei — the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SML, and SML itself.
They are facing 78 counts of causing financial loss to the state, using public office for profit, wilful oppression, directly influencing the procurement process to obtain an unfair advantage in the award of procurement, and entering into an agreement with a financial commitment binding the government for more than one financial year without prior authorisation by Parliament.
When the case was called at the court presided over by Justice Francis Aponga Achiponga on Thursday (Dec 11), Mr Ofori-Atta, Akore and Damoah were absent leaving Nti, Owusu-Amoah, Crentsil, and Adusei.
The OSP indicated that he had filed an ex-parte motion for leave to serve both Ofori-Atta and Akore, who are currently outside the jurisdiction.
He also informed the court about an active extradition process with the US government.
As a result, the court said it would wait for the outcome of that process before proceeding to hear the motion.
Meanwhile lawyers for Damoah told the court that their client was not present because he was not properly served, but that was shot down by the OSP, arguing that Damoah’s obligations under the OSP bail required him to be present.
The accused persons who were present pleaded not guilty to their respective charges.
Adusei also pleaded not guilty on behalf of SML, the company in which he is the beneficial owner.
The court granted the five accused persons bail in the sum of GH¢50 million with two sureties each to be justified.
They are to report to the Special Prosecutor's office once every week and also deposit their travel documents.
The court, however, suspended the execution of bail terms until December 15, 2025.
The case has been adjourned to December 17, 2025, for Damoah's plea to be taken.