Asante Berko, a former managing director of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), is appealing a UK decision to extradite him to the US, where he faces accusations of bribing Ghanaian officials during his time at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. Apexnewsgh reports
According to prosecution filings, Berko conspired with Ghanaian officials and others in a bribery scheme that benefited him, the bank, and a Turkish energy company seeking to build a power plant in Ghana.
Berko’s lawyers argued at a London hearing that the extradition order should be overturned, citing that the charges are not extradition offenses and most of the alleged acts took place in London. However, US government lawyers countered that the extradition should proceed, alleging that Berko and co-conspirators bribed Ghanaian officials with over $700,000, which was then reimbursed through fraudulent invoices and transferred from Turkey, through US bank accounts, to Ghana.
Berko had previously settled a lawsuit with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 2020, agreeing to pay over $329,000 without admitting or denying the allegations. He was arrested at London Heathrow Airport in 2022.
The case has sparked interest in the oil and gas industry, with many following the developments closely. Berko’s legal team is determined to fight the extradition, while US authorities are pushing for him to face trial in the US. The outcome of this appeal will have significant implications for international corruption cases and extradition laws.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0256336062/0248250270.
