Corruption allegations against Jinapor, Asenso Boakye baseless - CID

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has cleared the two Deputy Chiefs of Staff, Samuel Abu Jinapor and Francis Asenso Boakye of all corruption allegations made against them by Kwame Asare Obeng popularly known as 'A Plus.'

According to the CID, the allegations were baseless, unsubstantiated and lacked credibility, a statement signed and issued by the Director General of the Police CID, Mr Bright Oduro said on Monday.

The CID following a directive from the President launched  investigations into the allegation of corruption and thievery against the two government officials.

Commissioner of Police (COP), Mr Oduro explained the CID had to establish the authenticity or otherwise of the allegations.

He said on August 27, 2017, A Plus, who is a businessman and a musician in a Facebook post leveled corruption and thievery allegations against the two government officials.

Consequently, A Plus was invited to assist the police with investigations and during interrogations, he was said to have "categorically" denied ever accusing Asenso-Boakye and Abu Jinapor of thievery and or receiving any money as bribe.

However, he said following a petition by Unibank Ghana Limited to the effect that the management of Korle-Bu had abrogated an existing MoU with them without any reason and that Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital has not treated them fairly, the two government officials interfered with the management of Korle.

According to COP Oduro, A Plus however maintained that the said interference in the management of the Korle-Bu in his opinion amounted to corruption.

COP Oduro said the CID, therefore followed up on the allegations and interviewed witnesses including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Korle-Bu, Dr Felix Anyaa as well as Asenso-Boakye and Jinapor.

It was establised that the two Deputy Chiefs of Staff among others intervened to seek clarity from the hospital's management regarding the said petition and their intervention was transparent, born out of the protection of the public interest and consistent with their duties as Chiefs of Staff.

"From the foregoing, the allegation of corruption was found to be baseless, unsubstantiated and without credibility. The Ghana Police Service assures the public of its commitment to discharge its mandate without any fear or favour," the statement added.

Writers email: enoch.frimpong@graphic.com.gh

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