The Public Accounts Committee has referred Frank Oliver Kpodo, former Director of Procurement at the Ministry of Defence, to the Attorney-General for prosecution in connection with the alleged purchase of six vehicles worth GH¢4.8 million.
The matter came to a head following mounting pressure from Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, who called for Mr Kpodo’s immediate interdiction. At the heart of the controversy were allegations that falsified documents had been used in an attempt to procure the vehicles, intended for monitoring the 2024 general elections, raising serious red flags about the integrity of the transaction.
The case had already attracted scrutiny from the Auditor-General, who disallowed store receipt vouchers valued at GH¢4.8 million during a special audit of government commitments and payables. The audit found that the vehicles in question were never supplied, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the procurement process.
When Mr Kpodo, now serving as a procurement officer at the Ministry of Lands, appeared before the Committee on Tuesday, March 31, he offered an explanation that did little to ease tensions. He claimed the vehicles had initially been delivered but were subsequently removed amid concerns that payment might not be made. He added that he had later advised management to extend the contract agreement.
His account, however, failed to satisfy Committee members. Mr Dafeamekpor was particularly scathing in his response, challenging Mr Kpodo on the whereabouts of the vehicles and the specifics of the deal.
“You personalize the transactions, so they became your personal burden,” he said. “How many vehicles were involved? If you can’t tell us where the vehicles are, at least tell us how many there were. So for me, my demand is that the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources should interdict this man. He should be interdicted.”
With the Committee unconvinced by Mr Kpodo’s explanation, the Ranking Member, Samuel Atta-Mills, moved swiftly, referring Mr Kpodo to the Attorney-General for prosecution, bringing the matter one step closer to a formal legal reckoning.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com