Four public officials have been formally charged with corruption in connection with a plot to hijack 10 containers of rice imported from Thailand at the Tema Port in 2022.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) named the accused as Issah Seidu of the National Insurance Commission, James Keck Osei, a former Director at the Vice President’s Secretariat, and two senior Customs officers—John Abban and Peter Archibold Hyde.
The OSP stated that Seidu fraudulently claimed ownership of the rice using falsified documents, including a fake letter purportedly from the Office of then Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
Investigations revealed that despite the rice being legally imported and duties fully paid, the group colluded to override customs procedures and redirect the containers for auction to Seidu.
The alleged conspiracy was foiled after internal audits and a High Court ruling uncovered the fraudulent scheme.
The Special Prosecutor has since charged all four individuals with corruption-related offenses as the case proceeds through the judicial system.
