SML corruption trial: Court takes plea of sixth accused, grants GH¢50m bail

An Accra High Court has taken the plea of the sixth accused person in the ongoing corruption trial linked to the Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) case involving former Finance Minister, Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta, and seven others.

In a statement issued by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), the sixth accused, Colonel Kwadwo Damoah (Rtd), Member of Parliament for Jaman South and former Commissioner-General of the Customs Division, pleaded not guilty to eight counts of corruption and corruption-related offences when he appeared before the court.

The charges form part of a wider prosecution initiated by the OSP over alleged financial and procurement irregularities.

At the previous hearing, Colonel Damoah failed to appear in court, prompting the prosecution to apply for a bench warrant. The court, however, declined the application after being informed that the accused was engaged in official parliamentary duties and could not be served with court processes at the time.

Following the taking of his plea, the court granted Colonel Damoah bail in the sum of GH¢50 million, with two sureties to be justified to the satisfaction of the court.

As part of the bail conditions, the accused was ordered to deposit his passport and any other travel documents with the court registry. The sureties are also required to submit copies of their Ghana Cards to the registry.

Additionally, the court directed that Colonel Damoah be placed on the Ghana Immigration Service stop list at all entry and exit points to prevent unauthorised travel. He is also to report once every week to the lead investigator at the Office of the Special Prosecutor.

In preparation for the next phase of proceedings, the court ordered the prosecution to file and serve all witness statements and disclosure documents on the accused persons at least two clear days before the scheduled Case Management Conference (CMC) on January 29, 2026.

The court further directed accused persons three to eight (A3–A8) to file the names and addresses of any witnesses they intend to rely on, should they be required to open their defence, within the same timeframe. They may also file their respective witness statements and documents at least two clear days before the CMC.

Meanwhile, the prosecution informed the court that steps are being taken under Mutual Legal Assistance arrangements to secure the appearance of the first and second accused persons, Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta and Ernest Darko Akore, who are currently outside the jurisdiction.

The case has been adjourned to January 29, 2026, for the Case Management Conference, where the court is expected to issue further directions to streamline the trial.