MMT scandal: MD ordered to proceed on leave

The board of the Metro Mass Transit Limited has ordered the managing director of the company Bennet Aboagye and his personal assistant Yiadom Kesse to proceed on leave with immediate effect, Starr News has learnt.

The sudden action comes in the wake of the corruption scandal that has rocked the company over the last few days.

The staff union of the transport company on Tuesday petitioned the Transport Minister to demand the removal of Mr. Aboagye for full scale investigations into his alleged corruption and procurement breaches.

Mr. Aboagye has been accused of breaching several procurement laws in the acquisition of some 300 buses since taking over the company over a year ago.

Mr. Aboagye and a leading member of the NPP, Dr. Amoako Tuffuor are accused of attempting to bribe the whistle blower with GHc40, 000 when they were confronted with evidence.

But the embattled MD described the allegations as attempted blackmail.

According to him, his office was bugged with a recording device by his accuser who also threatened to release some audio conversations of him to the public if an amount of GHc1m was not paid.

Mr. Aboagye confirmed paying an amount of GHc40, 000 to his accuser known as Lawal but stated that the amount was to trap his accuser to retrieve the supposed recording from him as advised by the Police CID.

Speaking on Starr Today, Tuesday, Mr. Aboagye said he will not allow a few “rabble-rousers” to force him out of job over false accusations.

“It is not within their purview to ask me to step aside. The requisite authorities will decide and not some few rabble-rousers who want to cause trouble.”