The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is demanding for the immediate arrest and prosecution of senior minster Yaw Osafo-Marfo over an alleged $1 million deal with UK firm, Kroll Associates.
The party through its General Secretary Johnson Asiedu Nketia at a press conference insists that the current controversy surrounding the Auditor-General, Daniel Domelevo, are attempts by the government “to have him removed” to prevent scrutiny of the deal.
The NDC feels the investigation of the Auditor-General is also “because of his uncompromising stance in
the fight against corruption.”
The NDC stressed that “President Akufo-Addo must demonstrate that no one is above the laws of Ghana including Mr Yaw Osafo-Marfo.”
“This EOCO investigation is designed as retribution against Mr. Domelevo because he has been on the tail of Yaw Osafo Maafo over the latter’s involvement in the massive corruption scandal under which $1 million was paid to Kroll Associates, a UK company for no work done.”
“Rather than hounding Mr. Domelevo, we are by this press conference calling on President Akufo Addo to immediately order the arrest and prosecution of Mr. Yaw Osafo Maafo for the breaches of the Public Procurement Act. We demand an immediate cessation of the hostile victimization of Mr. Domelevo by the Akufo-Addo government.
The Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) is trying to investigate alleged procurement breaches in the Ghana Audit Service during the purchase of buses by the service in 2018.
However Mr. Domelevo has argued that EOCO no longer had jurisdiction to investigate corruption-related offices following the establishment of the Office of the Special Prosecutor. This action was backed by some Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) who have come out in for the Auditor General.
The NDC, also, said EOCO was targeting the wrong man.
“We find the conduct of the EOCO unacceptable in the sense that the anti-graft agency is comfortably inviting Mr. Yaw Domelevo for questioning and granting him bail but has refused or neglected to invite
Mr Yaw Osafo Maafo for the same breaches of the Public Procurement Act.”
“The Akufo-Addo government is using EOCO to tie the hands of the Audit Service Board and leave them with no option than to ask the Auditor-General to step aside pending investigations.”
The group further said that if the government was serious about fighting public sector corruption, “it would not allow a hardworking Auditor-General like Daniel Domelevo to be attacked and discredited.”
“We encourage the Auditor-General to stand firm and not be intimidated and to do his work without fear or favour. The nation is solidly behind him,” the statement added.
By Emmanuel Amewugah, Daily Mail GH
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