SML-GRA Case: 8 accused suspects set for court appearance

The eight accused persons in the SML prosecution case are expected to be arraigned in court on Monday, November 24, 2025.

According to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), the arraignment on the set date will see the prosecution seeking court orders to serve the charge sheets on two of the accused persons who are outside the country’s jurisdiction.

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Providing an update on Thursday, November 20, 2025, the OSP said that the case will be heard at the Criminal Court 3 of the High Court in Accra.

“The Republic v Kenneth Ofori-Atta & 7 Ors: Accused persons will be arraigned before court on Monday, 24 November 2025. The Prosecution will seek the necessary court orders for service of the charge sheet on the fugitives who are outside of the jurisdiction,” the prosecutorial body shared on X.

This follows the OSP officially filling charges against the eight individuals, including former Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta.

The former minister and seven others are facing 78 counts of corruption and corruption-related offences, including conspiracy to commit the criminal offence of directly or indirectly influencing the procurement process to obtain an unfair advantage in the award of a contract.

According to the OSP, the charges, filed on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, constitute violations of section 23(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), and section 92(2)(b) of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663).

Portions of the suit, filed at the Criminal Division of the High Court in Accra under case number CR/0106/2026 and shared by the OSP, read; “Conspiracy to commit the criminal offence of directly or indirectly influencing the procurement process to obtain an unfair advantage in the award of a procurement contract, contrary to section 23(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), and section 92(2)(b) of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663).”

The other seven individuals charged include:

* Ernest Darko Akore, former Chef de Cabinet to the Minister of Finance;

* Emmanuel Kofi Nti, former Commissioner-General of the GRA;

* Rev Dr Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, former Commissioner-General of the GRA;

* Isaac Crentsil, former Commissioner of the Customs Division of the GRA and General Manager of SML;

* Kwadwo Damoah, former Commissioner of the Customs Division of the GRA and current Member of Parliament for Jaman South;

* Evans Adusei; and

* Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML).

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The charges stem from the conclusion of investigations into alleged corruption and financial irregularities linked to contracts between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML).

Addressing a press briefing in Accra on Thursday, October 30, 2025, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng announced that investigators had uncovered evidence of corruption, abuse of office, and breaches of procurement laws by senior officials of the Ministry of Finance, the GRA, and individuals connected to SML.

Court case update

The Republic v Kenneth Ofori-Atta & 7 Ors.

Accused persons will be arraigned before court on Monday, 24 November 2025.

The Prosecution will seek the necessary court orders for service of the charge sheet on the fugitives who are outside of the jurisdiction.… pic.twitter.com/qw0MOVeGxb

— Office of the Special Prosecutor-Ghana (@ospghana) November 20, 2025

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