The four were investigated after the Office of Special Prosecution accused them of failing to declare their sources of income.
They were brought to court on Monday, February 13, 2023, and three were released when one of them failed to appear in court.
The Special Prosecutor received complaints from businessmen who imported rice into the country. The concern is that another person, the first accused (Issah Seidu), has tried to remove the same thing.
The Office of the Vice President is reported to have written to the Commissioner of Customs Division to release bags of rice imported by businessmen who are fighting with other businessmen over ownership of the same goods.
This prompted the disgruntled businessman to file a complaint with the Office of the Special Prosecutor, which led to charges being filed against the Administrator in the Office of the Vice President, James Keck Osei, and three others.
The businessman claimed that the GRA was investigating the matter and requested that the goods be released.
A statement issued by the Secretariat of the Vice President signed by Augustine Blay, Secretary Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, disclosed that Keck Osei has found himself on the wrong side of the law for illegally writing a letter to the Commissioner of the Ghana Revenue Authority “seeking. help clean 15 containers of rice” that imported from Thailand in April 2022.
“Among other things, the fake letter stated the Office [of the Vice President] need a container of rice for Ramadan,” said the Vice President’s Secretariat.
He said GRA did not comply with Keck Osei’s letter but told him that someone else claimed the rice.
Four people have been charged with failure to comply with a lawful request from an authorized officer.
The court granted bail to the Administrator in the Office of the Vice President, while Issah Seidu and Peter Archibold were granted bail in the sum of GH¢10,000 in one surety.
Another defendant, John Abban, failed to appear in court.
Below is a full copy of the response signed by the Vice President’s Secretary, Augustine Blay:
- On April 27, 2022, Mr. James Keck Osei sent an illegal letter to the Commissioner General of GRA asking for help in cleaning fifteen containers of rice.
- Among other things, the fake letter stated that the Office needed containers of rice for Ramadan celebrations.
- The Ghana Revenue Authority did not heed Mr. Keck Osei’s letter but instead told them that someone else claimed the rice. Upon receiving this information, James Keck Osei wrote another letter on July 5, 2022, to cancel the letter dated April 27, 2022. In this second letter, Mr. Osei stated that the Commissioner should cancel the previous action taken based on the previous one. letter.
- In September 2022, the Office of the Vice President has learned that Mr. James Keck Osei has been invited to the Office of the Special Prosecutor to assist in investigations related to the importation of rice.
- The Office of the Vice President is satisfied with the decision of the Special Prosecutor to continue the investigation on the matter, resulting in the decision announced on Friday, February 10, 2023, that Mr. Osei has been presented in court on Monday, February 13, 2023.
- According to the announcement by the Special Prosecutor, the Director General of the Office of the President has started to investigate the matter according to the procedures, rules and regulations of the PNS and if there is a violation of the rules and regulations of the PNS, the service will apply the necessary sanctions.
- ONLY the Secretary to the Vice President is required to write letters on behalf of the Office of the Vice President and Mr. Osei has no such authority.