By Francis Kobena Tandoh
The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, stated on Monday that the state will prosecute Wontumi Farms and its directors, as well as the leader of the Liberal Party of Ghana, Kofi Akpaloo, for alleged financial crimes against the state.
Speaking to the media at the Government Accountability Series at the Jubilee House, Dr. Ayine disclosed that investigations conducted by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) have uncovered sufficient evidence to support charges of defrauding by false pretences, forgery, and causing financial loss to the state.
According to the AG, the alleged loss incurred by Wontumi Farms and directors currently stands at GH¢24,255,735, representing the principal amount involved plus accrued interest.
Dr Ayine announced that prosecution of the said cases will commence after the Christmas break, once the exact outstanding amount is confirmed by EXIM Bank.
“In the face of the evidence we have gathered in this investigation, thoroughly conducted by EOCO, we have made the decision to prosecute Wontumi farms, and its directors with defrauding by false pretences, forgery, and causing financial loss to the state in the sum of GH¢24,255,735,” said the AG.
The decision to prosecute Wontumi Farms and its directors, according to the AG, follows EOCO investigations into a loan transaction involving Wontumi Farms, linked to its director, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
Dr Ayine previously disclosed that the company secured a GH¢4 million loan from EXIM Bank using a forged document.
According to him, investigations revealed that Chairman Wontumi submitted a falsified receipt purportedly issued by Casama Enterprise to support the loan application. The document claimed payment for heavy-duty farming and industrial equipment, including bulldozers and excavators.
He, however, said EOCO’s findings established that the document was originally a proforma invoice and not a receipt.
The word invoice, according to him, was altered to read receipt and presented to the bank as proof of payment. The owner of Casama Enterprise later confirmed that no payment had been made and that only a proforma invoice had been issued to Wontumi Ghana Limited.
Dr Ayine stated that despite assurances to complete the purchase, the transaction was never finalized. He noted that the forged receipt falsely indicated that Casama Enterprise had received the full GHS4 million.
The Attorney General said the case highlights the government’s commitment to enforcing accountability and protecting state financial institutions from fraudulent activities. He assured the public that the prosecution will proceed once all documentation from EXIM Bank is completed and filed in court.
Leader of LPG, Kofi Akpaloo, was arrested on September 3 this year by the EOCO in Kumasi on allegations of financial crimes, including fraud, causing financial loss to the state, dissipation of public funds, and money laundering.
The AG however announced that his office has opened the door for plea bargaining and would consider it if the personalities involved decided to use that option Enditem
Source: Ghana Eye Report
Share Us
