SML contract saga: 2 suspects sue OSP over photographs

Two senior figures linked to the Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) revenue-assurance contract have filed a human rights lawsuit against the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

The applicants — Christian Tetteh Sotie, Managing Director of SML and former Technical Advisor to the GRA Commissioner-General, and Isaac Crentsil, a former Customs Commissioner now serving as a manager at SML — argue that the OSP unlawfully photographed them while they were holding placards displaying their names.

They contend that the act, carried out before any formal charges were filed, violates their constitutional rights.

In their legal action, the two are asking the court to declare that:

 

The photographing exercise was a breach of their human rights.

Publishing the images would further violate their rights.

The OSP should be restrained from releasing or circulating the photos.

The pair are among several individuals, including former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, who are currently under investigation in relation to the SML–GRA contract, which has attracted intense public scrutiny.

Concerns have been raised over the legality of the contract award process and whether the state received value for money. Five civil society organisations have already taken legal action to recover more than GH¢1 billion, arguing that procurement rules were breached.

The OSP has confirmed that it is investigating corruption-related offences linked to SML’s contracts in revenue assurance, particularly in the petroleum and minerals sectors. Searches have been conducted, including operations at SML’s offices.

However, no formal charges have yet been filed against Sotie and Crentsil.

The case now places the conduct of the OSP itself under legal examination, with potential implications for how suspects are treated during ongoing investigations.