Two Civil Engineers, Benjamin Bampoh and Francis Torsoo of Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Tema Metro and New Juaben Assembly respectively, have been arraigned before an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly taking bribes in the sum of 3,000 Ghana cedis, to award contract to a campaigner of anti-corruption.
The Accused persons have been charged with conspiracy to commit crime and corruption by a public officer.
Brief Facts
According to the facts presented by the Prosecution, the Complainant is a farmer and an anti- corruption campaigner who resides in Accra whilst the Accused persons are staff of the Department of Urban Roads at the Tema Metro and New Juaben Assembly.
In May, 2017, the Complainant received series of reports that the Accused persons had been using their offices to amass wealth by awarding urban road contracts to persons after taking huge sums of money from them depending on the value of the contract.
In a bid to find out the truth in the matter, Mr Saka and other witnesses visited the office of Benjamin Bampoh at the Tema Metro Urban Roads Office. In the meeting, Mr Bampoh convinced Mr Saka that Torsoo and himself, would be able to award him and the witnesses lucrative contract to construct some urban roads if only “they do them something” by parting with some monies to seal the deal.
Benjamin Bampoh demanded and collected 2,000 Ghana and referred them to Mr Torsoo to award some contracts at the New Juaben Municipal Assembly.
Francis Torsoo also demanded and collected 1000 Ghana cedis.
A meeting between Francis Torsoo, the Complainant and other witnesses was arranged at African Regency Hotel in Accra.
At the meeting, Francis Torsoo promised to award them a contract and told the Complainant that more contracts were to follow.
In the Accused persons’ statement they admitted taking money from the Complainant but explained that the money was a gift.
Both the Accused persons pleaded not guilty and the court presided over by Mr Aboagye Tandoh has admitted them to bail in the sum of 30,000 Ghana cedis with a surety each.
The case has been adjourned to 28th November 2017.
