CrimeHot!

Fake documents used to claim ownership of imported rice …OSP tells court

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) yesterday told the Accra High Court that documents allegedly used by Seidu Issah, an employee of the National Insur­ance Commission (NIC), to claim ownership of 10,000 bags of rice imported from Thailand to Ghana, were fake.

Issah is one of the four persons charged with corruption and corruption related offences by the OSP.

The accused laid claim to 10,000 bags of rice imported by a busi­nessman, who petitioned the OSP, leading to the arrest of Seidu.

Emmanuel Basintele, prosecut­ing, told the court presided over by Justice Comfort Tasiame, that findings of investigations by Cus­toms Head office of the Ghana Revenue Authority, revealed that the businessman (petitioner) was the owner of the rice.

He said “this matter was re­ferred to the customs head office for resolution and one deputy commissioner, Ms Hannah was asked to look into the issue and re­spond, and her findings were that the documents presented by Seidu were fake and that the petitioner was the owner of the goods and should be allowed to clear them.”

The prosecutor said Seidu, filed a civil suit against the petitioner and GRA and sought to injunct the GRA in order to prevent them from releasing the goods to the petitioner.

Mr Basintele told the court that the petitioner said he had come across a document from the office of the Vice President addressed to the Commissioner of Customs, to release the rice to Seidu as the of­fice of the Vice President wanted to use the rice for Ramadan.

He said the businessman peti­tioned the OSP that he imported 10,000 bags of rice from Thailand and when the goods arrived, he could not immediately clear the goods because the original bill of laden delayed.

Mr Basintele told the court that because of the delay, the goods were taken to Unclear Cargo List (UCL), and explained that goods not cleared at UCL after a period by the importer could be auc­tioned.

The prosecution said the peti­tioner upon receipt of the bill of laden, proceeded to get the goods cleared.

The court heard that the busi­nessman went to the warehouse, where Peter Archibold Hyde, a staff of the GRA, was in charge, to take delivery of his goods.

But, he was told that Seidu had laid claim and presented docu­ments, indicating that he (Seidu) imported the goods from Vietnam and not Thailand.

The court that the bill of laden presented by Seidu had the address and tin number of the petitioner.

Three out of four accused pleaded not guilty and were admit­ted to various bail conditions.

James Keck Osei, the admin­istrator in the office of the Vice President was admitted to self-rec­ognisance bail, while Hyde and Seidu were granted GH¢10,000 each.

As part of the bail condition, Justice Tasiame ordered Seidu to produce a surety and report to the OSP every Monday.

The third accused, John Abban was not in court because he was indisposed.

Counsel for the accused, Messrs Nana Asare and Simon Animley asked the court to admit their clients to bail.

The prosecution said he was not opposed to bail for the accused except Seidu, who had shown out­right disrespect to the OSP.

Mr Basintele said it was because of the disrespect for the OSP that Seidu was arrested while the rest were served to appear before court.

The case has been adjourned to March 13.

BY MALIK SULLEMANA

Show More
Back to top button