OSP arrests GRA legal head over SML corruption probe

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has arrested Freeman Sarbah, Acting Head of Legal at the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), in connection with the controversial revenue assurance contract between the GRA and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML).

Mr. Sarbah is under investigation for suspected corruption, corruption-related offences, and obstruction of justice. His arrest marks a new phase in the OSP’s probe, which has already exposed irregularities and alleged financial losses to the state.

The OSP said the charge of obstruction of justice was particularly significant, citing persistent non-cooperation from the GRA during the investigation.

The Authority had earlier failed to provide complete copies of the agreements between SML and its third-party partners, a breach the OSP described as a serious violation of transparency and governance standards.

According to the OSP, its investigation revealed a pattern of concealment and deliberate interference by certain GRA officials to obstruct the inquiry into the origins and execution of the deal.

The office has described the SML arrangement as one secured through “self-serving official patronage based on false and unverified claims.”

The investigation also uncovered significant financial and legal concerns. By December 2024, SML had received over GH¢1.4 billion from the state, most of it processed automatically without performance verification or oversight by the GRA.

The contracts were also found to be unlawful, having been awarded without approval from the Public Procurement Authority and lacking parliamentary authorization, despite their multi-year scope.

The OSP cited breaches of Section 179C of the Criminal Offences Act, which prohibits using public office for profit, and Section 92(2b) of the Public Procurement Act, which forbids manipulating procurement processes for unfair advantage.

The arrest of Mr. Sarbah follows earlier detentions and interrogations of several past GRA officials, including former Commissioners-General and Customs Commissioners.

The OSP said its findings point to “a tightly knit and non-coincidental association of events,” suggesting a deliberate plan to benefit specific interests.

The office reaffirmed its determination to ensure accountability, emphasizing that no public officer would be shielded from prosecution if found responsible for financial loss to the state.