The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has recovered Ghc1.074 million from a business owned by a Council of State member.
The amount from Eunice Jacqueline Buah Asomah-Hinneh’s frozen foods company, Labianca Company Limited, indicates a state import duty shortfall.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor’s investigation report titled “Report of Investigation into Alleged Commission of Corruption and Corruption Related Offences Involving Labianca Group of Companies and the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority”, dated August 3, 2022, made this revelation.
The report claims that Ms. Asomah-Hinneh influenced the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in her favour, resulting in a decrease in the tax obligations of Labianca Limited. She did this by using her influence as a member of the Council of State and a member of the Board of Directors of the Ghana Ports and Habours Authority (GPHA).
The OSP cited Joseph Adu Kyei, a deputy commissioner of customs in charge of operations, for issuing what it deemed to be an illegal customs advance ruling. According to the report, this resulted in lower benchmark values for the commodities Labianca Limited imported, which in turn resulted in lower tax liabilities for the business with the government.
The OSP finds that there is strong evidence to suggest that Mr. Kyei’s decision to issue a customs advance ruling for the applicant was procured through influence peddling or trading by Ms. Asomah-Hinneh by employing her position as a member of the Council of State and member of the Board of Directors of the GPHA.
Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng
hmmm corruption is really killing us as a country.
Good work
Great piece
Very informative