Mahama Ayariga's corruption case still at management stage - Office of Special Prosecutor

One of the corruption cases involving the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga which is being handled by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) is still at the management stage.

Mr Mahama Ayariga together with Kenderick Akwasi Marfo are in court for corruption related offences.

The OSP investigated the case jointly with the Economic and Organised Crimes Office (EOCO).

There is however another corruption related case involving Mahama Ayariga and six others which is going through trial at the moment.

The case is in relation to the alleged tax evasion and the procurement of some vehicles.

Read also: Amidu reports Ayariga to EOCO for frustrating corruption probe

The second case is the Republic versus Hajia Hawa Ninchema, Sumaila Ewuntomah Abudu, Alex Avade, Alhaji Abdul-Mumuni Jesewunde, Mary-Stella Adapesa, Mumuni Yakubu Nambe and Mahama Ayariga.

It is pending before the Accra High Court, Financial Division.

The prosecution has called its first witness who has since testified, been cross examined and discharged.

Hearing of the case will resume on March 21, 2021 for the prosecution to call its next witness.

Related: Amidu reports Ayariga to EOCO for frustrating corruption probe

Publication of cases by OSP

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) is required by section 3(3) of Act 959 of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 to publish the list of corruption cases investigated and prosecuted and the number of acquittals, convictions, cases pending in respect of the cases prosecuted and the value of proceeds recovered if any.

The publication per the Act is supposed to be done as part of its functions on half yearly basis.

Therefore, on March 5, 2021, the OSP published that the two cases are the only corruption cases it was handling since its establishment in 2017.

All the two cases are still in court.

In the publication, the OSP indicated that there have been no acquittals and convictions as the two cases are pending as being prosecuted.

Consequently, no value of any assets have been recovered.

The two cases are the Republic versus Mahama Ayariga and Kenderick Akwasi Marfo.

The OSP investigated the Mahama Ayariga case jointly with the Economic and Organised Crimes Office (EOCO).

The second case is the Republic versus Hajia Hawa Ninchema, Sumaila Ewuntomah Abudu, Alex Avade, Alhaji Abdul-Mumuni Jesewunde, Mary-Stella Adapesa, Mumuni Yakubu Nambe and Mahama Ayariga.

The cases involving the Republic versus Hawa Nincheman, Mahama Ayariga and others is pending before the Accra High Court, Financial Division.

The prosecution has called its first witness who has since testified, been cross examined and discharged.

Hearing of the case will resume on March 21, 2021 for the prosecution to call its next witness.

In respect of the Republic versus Mahama Ayariga and another, it is still pending before the same court and at the management stage.

Writer's email: enoch.frimpong@graphic.com.gh 

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