AKSA Energy deal: Bribery offences not time-barred, assets can be recovered – Ayikoi Otoo
Former Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Ayikoi Otoo, says public officials found to have received bribes in connection with the AKSA Energy deal could still face prosecution, even if the alleged offences occurred more than a decade ago.
Former Attorney General Ayikoi Otoo has stated that bribery allegations linked to the AKSA Energy deal in Ghana may not be barred by time limits, allowing for potential prosecution of public officials involved. Speaking on Joy FM’s Midday News, Mr Otoo emphasized that the prosecution of such cases would hinge on the availability of sufficient evidence to establish that a crime had occurred.
This comes after a US court convicted former Tema Oil Refinery Managing Director, Asante Kwaku Berko, for his alleged involvement in a bribery scheme connected to the AKSA Energy deal. Otoo's remarks have reignited discussions about the need for Ghanaian authorities to investigate individuals potentially implicated in the alleged scheme.
Additionally, the former Attorney General expressed that the state could potentially recover assets or financial benefits linked to corruption if wrongdoing is proven. He noted that a court could order the confiscation of assets and pursue efforts to recover funds or benefits that the state may have lost due to the alleged corruption.
Otoo also explained that under the Anti-Money Laundering Act and related provisions, a judge could order an individual to refund money or have property connected to the proceeds of an offence confiscated.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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