Several high-ranking members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) are currently facing legal action for allegedly causing financial loss to the state.
Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Minority Leader and MP for Ajumako Enyan Esiam, is accused of causing financial loss in the purchase of ambulances during his tenure as Deputy Minister of Finance.
Similarly, Alhaji Collins Dauda, MP for Asutifi South and former Minister for Works and Housing, is facing charges for causing financial loss related to the Saglemi Housing Project.
Dr. Stephen Opuni, former CEO of the Ghana Cocoa Board, is also being prosecuted for causing financial loss in the purchase of fertilizer meant for cocoa farmers.
The Criminal Offences Act (1960) defines “causing financial loss” as an offense, punishable by a fine of at least five million cedis and/or a prison term not exceeding ten years.
The law states that anyone who intentionally causes loss or damage to the property of a public body or agency of the state commits an offense.
The cases against the NDC members are ongoing, with Dr. Ato Forson and Dr. Opuni facing multiple charges, including wilfully causing financial loss to the state.
Alhaji Collins Dauda and his co-defendants have pleaded not guilty to all 52 charges brought against them.
Dr. Ato Forson’s trial began in January 2022, alongside two others, Sylvester Anemana and Richard Jakpa.
They are accused of wilfully causing financial loss of €2.37 million to the state through a contract to purchase 200 ambulances for the Ministry of Health.
Dr. Opuni, businessman Seidu Agongo, and Agricult Ghana Limited are facing 27 charges, including defrauding by false pretences, wilfully causing financial loss to the state, corruption by public officers, and contravention of the Public Procurement Act.
The accused persons have been accused of causing a financial loss of more than GHc271 million to the state in a series of lithovit foliar fertilizer transactions.
Alhaji Collins Dauda and his co-defendants are facing charges of intentionally misapplying public property, causing financial loss to the state, and issuing false certificates in the Saglemi Affordable Housing Project, which involved the sum of $200 million.
