The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has formally charged four individuals, including a former aide to the Vice President and a National Insurance Commission officer, in connection with a fraudulent scheme involving 10 containers of imported rice at the Tema Port.
The accused — Issah Seidu, James Keck Osei, John Abban, and Peter Archibald Hyde — are facing multiple charges, including corruption, wire fraud, and forgery of official documents.
According to a statement from the OSP, the suspects allegedly conspired to unlawfully claim ownership of rice imported from Thailand in 2022. The operation involved the use of forged documents, one of which was fraudulently presented as originating from the Office of the Vice President.
Seidu, believed to be the mastermind behind the plot, is accused of attempting to auction the seized rice containers to himself. Investigations also revealed that he worked in collaboration with Osei, a former director at the Vice President’s Secretariat, and Customs officers Abban and Hyde. Together, they reportedly bypassed standard port clearance procedures, despite the necessary duties having already been paid.
The fraudulent activity was uncovered following internal audits and a High Court ruling, which confirmed the documents were forged and halted the release of the goods. This discovery triggered a comprehensive investigation by the OSP.
The four accused individuals are scheduled to appear before the court on Friday, June 27, 2025.
This case highlights ongoing efforts by the Special Prosecutor’s office to address corruption and ensure accountability within Ghana’s public institutions, particularly in the handling of import goods and customs procedures.
Source: theghanareport
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