Col Damoah Pleads Not Guilty, Gets GH¢50m Bail

Former Commissioner of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Col. Kwadwo Damoah, has pleaded not guilty to charges relating to the GH¢1.4 billion Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) contract saga.

Col. Damoah, who also represents Jaman South in Parliament, faces eight substantive charges and two counts of conspiracy. These charges are among the 78 leveled against all accused persons, alleging causing financial loss to the state, using public office for profit, wilful oppression, and improperly influencing the procurement process.

The court granted him bail in the sum of GH¢50 million with two sureties. As part of the bail conditions, Col. Damoah is required to deposit his travel documents with the court registry and is placed on a stop list at all points of entry and exit.

He must also report to the lead investigator weekly. However, the execution of these bail terms has been suspended until December 31, 2025, to allow him time to secure the necessary sureties, according to court orders.

Other individuals implicated in the case include Emmanuel Kofi Nti and Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, both former Commissioner-Generals of the GRA, Isaac Crentsil, a former Commissioner of Customs, Ernest Darko Akore, an aide to ex-Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, and Evans Adusei, the CEO of SML, as well as SML itself.

Last week, five other accused persons were granted bail of GH¢50 million each, with similar surety and reporting requirements. Their bail terms are also suspended until December 15, 2025.

The case, which has been adjourned to December 17, 2025, stems from a controversial revenue assurance contract awarded to SML by the previous government. The contract was cancelled following concerns raised and a directive from President John Dramani Mahama.

The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, in a charge sheet filed at the Criminal Division of the Accra High Court, alleges a “criminal enterprise” designed to defraud the nation. “The criminal enterprise was commenced in 2017… and was characterised by no genuine need for contracting SML,” he stated.

The OSP further alleges that the accused abused their public offices for private gain, enabling SML to “largely pretend to perform services” resulting in a financial loss of GH¢1,436,249,828.53 to the state. The prosecution claims the accused falsely asserted SML’s technical expertise and exclusive access to revenue-enhancing technologies.

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