After an exposé by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas and his Tigereye PI firm, the Office of the Special Prosecutor concluded its investigation into the allegations of corruption against Charles Adu Boahen, the former Minister of State at the Finance Ministry.
The report concluded that while Adu Boahen engaged in influence peddling, there was no actual criminal activity that would have warranted an action by the Special Prosecutor.
“Though the conduct of Mr. Adu Boahen amounts to trading in influence or influence peddling, which is closely associated with corruption, there is no actual criminal prohibition of his acts in respect of which the OSP has a mandate to further act,” the report reads.
“On that reckoning, the Special Prosecutor directs the closure, at this time, of the investigation in respect of allegations of corruption and corruption-related offences involving Charles Adu Boahen contained in the investigative documentary titled Galamsey Economy published by Tiger Eye P.I. The investigation may be re-opened should the circumstances and further facts so dictate.”
Tiger Eye PI investigations into influence peddling led to the removal of the Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Charles Adu Boahen.
According to Tiger Eye PI investigations, Mr. Boahen told undercover journalists that Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia could be paid $200,000 as an appearance fee for investors.
As a result, the Vice President distanced himself from Mr. Boahen’s purported actions.
In a Facebook post from November 2022, Dr. Bawumia stated that if the revelations were true, Mr. Boahen’s job would be untenable and that he should be fired and the matter looked into.
President Akufo-Addo dismissed the minister a short while later and forwarded the allegations to the Special Prosecutor for more research.
Mr. Boahen asserted that an attempt was made to trap him in 2018 and refuted the allegations of corruption in the narrative.
The initial revelations were published in the New Crusading Guide ahead of the screening of an exposé on illegal mining.
In a statement on November 16, 2022, the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, said his office has promptly commenced an investigation into the actions of Mr Adu Boahen and any other implicated person.
