Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng has said his office has enough evidence to secure a guilty verdict against the ex-CEO of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA), Mr Adjenim Boateng Adjei, who, together with his brother-in-law, Mr Francis Kwaku Arhin, are standing trial for corruption. 

He told journalists on Wednesday, 25 May 2022 after the two had appeared before the high court that unlike the first case involving MP Mahama Ayariga in which he filed a nolle prosequoi, with “this one [the ex-CEO of PPA’s case], I have my firm conviction that we have every evidence to see the accused guilty”.

“This is in respect of the procurement breaches the former Chief Executive of the PPA and his brother-in-law”, he clarified, adding: “Their pleas were taken. They pleaded not guilty, and the court has given directions as to how the trial will proceed so we’ll be back in a month’s time to comply with the court’s processes and the trial will commence”.

When it was put to him by a journalist that he was being accused of leaving the big fish and going after fries, Mr Agyebeng retorted: “You call the CEO of the Public Procurement Authority a small fish?”, pointing out: “Unless you don’t want to see because the PPA is the spirit of the nation when it comes to procurement in the public sector and if you call the CEO of the PPA a small fish then there is no big fish in the country”.

“And, in any case, corruption is corruption. It’s not about how large the fish is – whether it is perch or a small anchovy. Corruption is corruption and as I said during my vetting, I’m going to make corruption very costly,” he added.

The embattled ex-CEO and his brother-in-law have been slapped with 17 counts for using public office for profit.

They were arraigned on Wednesday and granted bail.

They pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

They are being prosecuted by the Office of the Special Prosecutor.

The two men were admitted to a bail bond on GHS5 million with two sureties each.

Mr Adjenim Boateng is to give his passport to the court registry until the case is over.

His brother-in-law was, however, granted a concession by the court to keep his passport on compassionate grounds.

The sureties are also to leave their national IDs with the court registry.

Mr Adjenim Boateng’s lawyer, Mr Kwame Acheampong Boateng, told the media that the case has, in his view, been prejudged in the press but said he was happy it has now been brought to the right quarters for hearing.

The case has been adjourned to June 28, 2022.