Freeman Sarbah, Acting Head of Legal Affairs at the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), has been arrested by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) over alleged corruption and obstruction of justice linked to the controversial GRA–Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) revenue assurance contract.
In a statement posted on X on Monday, November 3, the OSP said, “The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has arrested the Acting Head of Legal at the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Freeman Sarbah. Mr Sarbah is under investigation for suspected corruption and corruption-related offences, as well as obstruction of justice, in respect of the GRA–Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) revenue assurance contract.”
The SML agreement, designed to provide revenue assurance services for the downstream petroleum sector and other areas, has been widely criticized for alleged inflated costs, flawed procurement processes, and doubts over its legality.
Following initial complaints, the OSP has expanded the probe to include senior officials from the GRA and the Ministry of Finance. Investigations have so far uncovered evidence of corruption, abuse of office, and breaches of procurement laws.
According to the OSP, by end of November 2025, several high-profile individuals could face prosecution, including former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, former GRA Commissioner-Generals Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah and Emmanuel Kofi Nti, alongside other senior officials and former ministry advisors.
In a related development, the OSP also reported significant savings from the cancellation of other SML contracts in the upstream oil and mineral sectors. Contracts tied to crude oil and gold exports, which would have cost the government roughly US$173 million and GHS 2.6 billion over five years, were never executed.
The termination after a KPMG audit and the OSP investigation, has spared the country these costs. The total savings from these contracts are estimated at US$173,250,000.00 and GHS 2,626,354,864.71.
President Mahama has directed the immediate cancellation of all remaining SML contracts as part of measures to ensure accountability and transparency in government procurement.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
