The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has referred former Director of Procurement at the Ministry of Defence, Frank Oliver Kpodo, to the Attorney-General for prosecution over the alleged procurement of six vehicles worth GH¢4.8 million.
The referral follows intense scrutiny during the Committee’s sitting on Tuesday, March 31, where Mr Kpodo, who is currently a procurement officer at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, was grilled over the transaction.
The case stems from a special audit by the Auditor-General, who disallowed store receipt vouchers valued at GH¢4.8 million after it emerged that the vehicles meant for monitoring the 2024 general elections were not supplied.
Appearing before the PAC, Mr Kpodo explained that the vehicles had initially been delivered but were later removed due to fears that payment might not be processed. He said he subsequently advised management to extend the contract agreement.
His explanation, however, failed to satisfy members of the Committee.
Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, who is a member of the PAC, rejected the account and called for the immediate interdiction of Mr Kpodo.
“…You personalize the transactions, so they became your personal burden. How many vehicles were involved? If you can’t tell us where the vehicles are, at least tell us how many there were.
“So for me, my demand is that the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources should interdict this man. He should be interdicted,” Mr Dafeamekpor stated.
In response, the Ranking Member of the Public Accounts Committee, Samuel Atta-Mills, referred Mr Kpodo to the Attorney-General for prosecution.