CID throws out A-Plus over corruption claims

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has described the allegation of corruption leveled against two deputies to the chief of staff by controversial musician and satirist, Kwame Asare Obeng also known as A-Plus, as baseless, unsubstantiated and without credibility.

COP Bright Oduro, CID Director-General, said in a statement that A-Plus could not substantiate his allegation of corruption against Francis Asenso-Boakye and Samuel Abu Jinapor, even though the allegation of thievery was dropped by A-Plus himself.

A-Plus, in a Facebook post on August 27, 2017, expressed his displeasure with the two deputies while commending President Akufo-Addo’s achievements seven months into his (president’s) tenure of office.

In the post, A-Plus described the two as corrupt but failed to list their crimes.

“…Seven months of NPP government. So far so good, except appointing some very corrupt officials, including the two very … deputy chiefs of staff. It’s amazing how Nana was able to appoint two … arrogant and corrupt … You think you’ll be in power forever. Even John Mahama I was not afraid of him then you [sic],” A-Plus said in the post.

Following the allegation, President Akufo-Addo ordered the Financial Forensic Unit of the CID to look into the matter, thus compelling the police to extend an invitation to the two New Patriotic Party (NPP) faithful to help investigate the matter.

In the statement COP Oduro said investigations into the alleged corruption case commenced to establish the authenticity or otherwise of the allegations.

“A-plus was invited to assist with investigations and in the course of the investigations, he categorically denied ever accusing Messrs Asenso-Boakye and Jinapor of thievery and/or receiving any money as bribe but however maintained the allegation of corruption,” according to the statement.

The CID boss said the basis of Kwame Asare Obeng’s allegations was that the two deputies had interfered in the management of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and in his opinion, amounted to corruption.

COP Oduro said the police investigators followed up on the allegations and interviewed witnesses, including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Korle-Bu, Dr Felix Anyah, Messrs Asenso-Boakye and Abu Jinapor.

The police revealed that A-Plus’s allegations were also based on a petition by Unibank Ghana Limited to the effect that the management of Korle-Bu had abrogated an existing MoU with the bank without any reason.

Based on the petition, Mr Asenso-Boakye and Abu Jinapor, among others, sought clarification from the hospital’s management regarding the said petition.

He said the police, in the course of the investigations, found out that the intervention by the two deputies was transparent, born out of the protection of the public interest and consistent with their duties as deputy chiefs of staff.