OSP hints at likely SML prosecution

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has hinted at possible prosecution in its ongoing investigation into the engagement of Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) revenue assurance audits by the Ghana Revenue Authority.

The OSP, as part of its probe into the company’s controversial contract with the government, recently conducted a court-ordered search at SML’s offices in Osu and Tema, under the supervision of National Security personnel.

Sources close to the investigation revealed that the Special Prosecutor’s team was in the advanced stages of its inquiry, with particular focus on retrieving electronic data from the company’s servers.

SML has denied any wrongdoing in its contract with the GRA.

Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show on Wednesday, August 20, the Director of Strategy, Research, and Communications at the OSP, Samuel Appiah Darko, explained that the completion of investigations would mark a decisive step towards possible legal action.

“What Ghanaians should know is that when the legal year starts, it means that there will be prosecution when we say we’ve completed. As you are aware, the OSP is a transparent institution, and when the time is right, you will notice that we are going to make it available to the public,” he said.

Appiah Darko further stressed the office’s commitment to transparency and accountability in handling the SML case.

“We will tell you everything that was involved, why we are going to court and why this person is being charged, why this person is not being charged, and all that”, but without going into the fine details of the case(s), he noted, “We can’t disclose anything at this point.”

He also hinted that once the investigations conclude, prosecution is one of the key actions that may follow.

“Once the investigations conclude, let’s wait for the directives from the Special Prosecutor. I just gave you a hint that usually when we say it’s concluded, it means that there must be consequential action, and one of them is prosecution,” Mr. Darko added.