GhanaReview International - The Leading Ghanaian News Agency
London New York Accra
GRi Latest News
Thursday 28 March 2024

2021-03-16

[I] UK defends Oxford Covid vaccine over fears of blood clots
[N] COVID-19: Continue using AstraZeneca vaccine – WHO
[S] Preko: Expect a very competitive 2nd round
[S] Clubs owe coaches five months’ salary
[S] Legon Cities: Asamoah Gyan investment has yielded good returns
[B] Pursue demands through negotiation, arbitration – Telcos told
[A] Tension in Dixcove following beating of chief to pulp
[B] Don’t approve new fuel levies – COPEC to MPs
[B] There’s no justification for newly proposed petroleum taxes – Wereko-Brobby
[A] Apam: Burial service for drowned teens to be held today
[N] Publisher, Badu Nkansah, apologises for ‘offensive Ewe’ textbooks
[N] Parliament’s Volta Caucus condemns ethnocentric publication in history book
[N] Ghanaians to pay tax for Covid-19 ‘free water’ enjoyed to fill economic gap

2021-03-15

[N] NaCCA orders withdrawal of unapproved textbooks
[B] Ghana prepares to issue $5 billion Eurobond
[N] Brain tumor patient appeals for GH¢ 30,000.00 for surgery
[N] AIMS Forum to mark International Mathematics Day
[N] Tema Sewer System: Ambitious project to address predicament
[N] A 21-year-old man stabbed to death at Effia
[N] Estate developers laud government’s decision to aid rent advance payments
[N] Let’s prioritize STEM; It’s the new niche for education policy – Ntim Fordjour
[N] 12 new deaths push toll 679; active cases now 3,994
[N] Over 400,000 Ghanaians vaccinated so far – Oppong Nkrumah
[N] Prof Allotey’s 9 Aug birthday must be made National Maths Day – Prince Armah
[N] Telecom workers to embark on strike from today
[N] NDC won the 2020 election hands down – Hannah Bissiw claims
[B] There’ll be ‘bitter hardship’ for Ghanaians because of 2021 budget – Forson
[N] Asiedu Nketia should be NDC running mate for NDC victory 2024 – Atubiga
[N] Rawlings kept over 20 wild dogs at his Ridge Residence alone – Hannah Bissiw

2021-03-14

[A] Kinaata’s Things Fall Apart can’t be called a gospel song
[S] Boxing legend ‘Marvellous’ Marvin Hagler dies aged 66
[B] 2021 budget designed to lift Ghana out of challenges imposed by COVID – Alan
[B] I’ll support Agyapa deal 2,000% – MP Egyapa Mercer
[S] What I’m seeing in training is massive–Mubarak Wakaso
[B] Notorious Wa thieves transporting pregnant goats involved in accident
[N] NEWSPut ‘petty politics’ aside and support Akufo-Addo, Bawumia
[B] Ghana risks losing €258m earmarked for the 2nd phase of Kejetia market
[S] Tribute: Henry Atta Ameyaw paid his dues to Hearts of Oak
[S] Why Wilfried Zaha has decided against taking the knee in Premier League games
[S] GFA fix new date for start of second round
... go Back
 
General News

[ 2017-05-24 ]

Eugene Baffoe-Bonney (left) and William Tevie

BNI probes 3 Mahama appointees over $4m graft
Three appointees of former President John Mahama
are being investigated by the Bureau of National
Investigations (BNI) for allegedly dipping their
hands into the coffers of the National
Communications Authority (NCA) for $4million which
they have failed to account for.

The three appointees, according to Information
Minister Mustapha Hamid, conspired with a private
citizen to commit the act.

The former Mahama appointees being investigated,
as named by Mr Hamid in an interview with Joy
FM’s Kojo Yankson on Wednesday, 24 May, include
Mr Eugene Baffoe-Bonney, former Board Chairman of
the NCA; Mr William Tevie, former Chief Executive
Officer of the NCA, and Alhaji Osman, former
Deputy National Security Coordinator.

Their conspirator is George Oppong. Mr Hamid said
they engaged in the graft in connection with a
contract between the Mahama administration and an
Israeli company, NSO Group Technology Limited, in
which the latter was to supply eavesdropping
gadgets worth $6 million. The equipment were meant
to help the government of Ghana monitor the calls
of suspected terrorists.

In the course of the transaction, Mr Hamid said a
local agent – Infraloks Development Limited –
charged $2million as facilitation fee, bringing
the total amount to $8million.

According to Mr Hamid, National Security, which
did not have the funds for the equipment, allowed
the NCA, which supervises the use of such
equipment to fund the project.

The NCA top officials, he revealed, withdrew $4
million from the NCA’s kitty but gave only
$1million to the Israeli firm.

The surplus, according to Mr Hamid, was deposited
into the personal accounts of Mr George Oppong,
who fronted as an agent of Infraloks Development
Ltd. He said Alhaji Osman orchestrated the entire
deal.

According to Mr Hamid, demands by the Israeli firm
to be paid the $5 million balance after the Mahama
administration lost power in the December 2016
elections prompted the new Akufo-Addo government
to probe the transaction after which the graft was
detected.

Mr Hamid said: “They took $4 million from NCA
accounts and paid $1 million to the Israeli
company and then deposited $3 million in the
accounts of the local agent, one Mr George Oppong
and proceeded to share the $3million among
themselves.”

Mr Hamid gave the breakdown of the share of the $3
million as follows: “Mr. Eugene Baffoe-Bonney
took $200,000; George Oppong took $100,000;
William Tevie got $150,000, Alhaji Osman received
$70,000” while one other person got $500,000.

He said apart from Alhaji Osman, the others have
admitted to the crime and have been given bail
after the BNI interrogated them. Alhaji Osman is,
however, at large, according to the Minister.

Mr Hamid revealed that Mr Oppong has refunded $1
million while Mr Baffoe-Bonney promised to refund
$40,000 as of last week. He said the others have
also promised to refund every cent. “BNI
hasn’t even decided at this stage because they
believe that the money must be returned. … If
they succeed in retrieving the money then they
will decide their next action,” Mr. Hamid said.

According to him, the transaction was a clear case
of top officials colluding to plunder the state
coffers.

“The reason why this is a classic case of
'create, loot and share' is that…it was
basically Alhaji Osman acting as Deputy National
Security Coordinator, who spearheaded this deal.
…People cannot just go and open a state vault
and take whatever that is in there” Mr Hamid
lamented.

Source - classfmonline.com



... go Back

 
Add YOUR View here

Ghana Review International (GRi) is published by Micromedia Consultants Ltd. T/A MCL - a wholly Ghanaian owned news agency. GRi is an independent publication and is non-aligned to any political party or interest group, within or outside of Ghana. It is a reliable source of information for Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians alike. This magazine will be of interest to any person with an interest in Ghana, Ghanaians and Africans, wherever in the world they live. This website is the on-line arm of the publication. It contains news and reviews on Ghana and the international communities.

All pages are © Copyright Ghana Review International (GRi) 1994 - 2021