SML takes OSP to CHRAJ over alleged bias, abuse of office
By DL News
Published
2 min read
The petition, submitted on 12 November and signed by the company’s chief executive, Evans Adusei, urges CHRAJ to examine what it describes as serious abuses of administrative power during an inquiry into SML’s contracts with the Ghana Reven...
Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) has called on the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), accusing the anti-corruption body of bias, misconduct and violating the firm’s constitutional rights.
The petition, submitted on 12 November and signed by the company’s chief executive, Evans Adusei, urges CHRAJ to examine what it describes as serious abuses of administrative power during an inquiry into SML’s contracts with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
SML, which was contracted in 2018 to provide revenue assurance and transaction audit services, says the OSP’s lead investigator, Albert Akurugu, should never have overseen the probe because of his previous employment with the Customs Division during the period when West Blue Consulting — SML’s predecessor — held a similar contract.
According to the petition, Mr Akurugu’s involvement raised a “clear and unacceptable conflict of interest”. SML alleges he acted with hostility and made threats during interrogations, including remarks that he would “ensure SML and its CEO never work again”. The company claims these comments are captured in the OSP’s own recordings.
The petition also challenges the conduct of OSP officials during a June raid on SML’s premises in Osu and Tema. The company alleges that investigators destroyed servers, removed CCTV systems and mishandled digital evidence in a manner that breached established forensic protocols.
Several hardware systems — including firewalls and SCADA equipment — were allegedly damaged or seized without proper safeguards, which SML argues amounted to a violation of property rights under the Constitution.
SML further accuses the OSP of omitting or downplaying documents from statutory bodies such as the GRA, Ministry of Finance, the National Petroleum Authority and the Ghana Standards Authority.
These institutions, the company says, had provided favourable assessments of its work, including early revenue recoveries of more than US$1.35 million. SML contends that the OSP’s published report instead presented West Blue’s discontinued system in a more positive light.
The firm also points to threatening messages allegedly sent in 2017 to former Customs Commissioner Isaac Crentsil by individuals linked to companies whose licences had been revoked — noting that SML was mentioned by name. It suggests this may form part of a broader campaign of retaliation.
In its submission, SML is asking CHRAJ to:
Investigate the OSP for bias, abuse of power and administrative injustice
Review the conduct of Mr Akurugu and the role of Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng
Order the release of interrogation recordings said to contain threats
Recommend sanctions against any public officers found to have acted improperly
Issue any other directives necessary to protect the company’s rights
The petition argues that the OSP’s actions have caused SML significant operational and reputational damage.
The OSP has not yet responded publicly to the petition.
