OSP and EOCO must speed up criminal investigations against former PPA boss – GII
The former PPA boss was disqualified for taking up a post as a public officer
He was found guilty by the CHRAJ
OSP, EOCO has been instructed to expedite criminal proceedings
The Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) calls on the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) to expedite their investigation into the various crimes committed against the former Director General of the Public Procurement Authority . (PPA), Adjenim Boateng Adjei.
It comes after the CHRAJ investigated the former PPA boss and found him guilty of conflict of interest in the performance of his duties after circumventing procurement procedures for personal gain.
In a statement, GII commended CHRAJ for its “impartial and thorough work” and called on OSP and EOCO to expedite the criminal investigation into the case.
“Where guilt is established, the law must be designed to be a deterrent to all public officials responsible for providing a public service and managing our national resources.
“GII has no doubt that if the enforcement and enforcement of the various accountability laws and sanctions are effectively enforced, Ghana will be able to save most of the resources lost to corruption,” said added their press release.
The CHRAJ, in its final report, ordered that Adjenim Boateng Adjei be banned from holding public office for 10 years; declares its assets within three months and reimburses GH¢5,697,530.00 (minus GH¢86,000.00) to the State within six months.
The former CEO of PPA had filed a complaint, asking the court to quash the CHRAJ’s findings against him.
He also wanted the court to issue an order of certiorari to set aside the CHRAJ’s decision on the grounds that it violated the rules of natural justice; however, the court presided over by Judge Elfreda Amy Dankyi ruled otherwise.
Adjenim Boateng Adjei has argued that he was not given a fair hearing by the CHRAJ in the case in which he was found guilty of conflict of interest in the awarding of government projects.
In the report, the CHRAJ found overwhelming evidence to show that Mr. Adjei placed himself in several positions where his personal interest in Talent Discovery Limited (TDL) and other companies conflicted with performing the duties of his office as CEO and board member of PPA, therefore contrary to Section 284 of the 1992 Constitution.
Boateng Adjei, who served as CEO of PPA between March 2017 and August 2019, was suspended from his post and his appointment was later terminated on October 30, 2021 by the President after a briefing by journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni.
