Former GRA boss and two others arrested over SML Scandal

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has arrested Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, former Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), along with two other individuals in connection with the ongoing investigation into the Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) scandal.

The announcement was made via the OSP’s official social media platforms on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.

The two other individuals arrested are:

• Isaac Crentsil, former Commissioner of Customs and currently General Manager at SML

• Christian Tetteh Sottie, former Technical Advisor and now Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of SML

According to the OSP, the arrests are part of a broader investigation into suspected corruption and related offences involving contracts between the GRA and SML for revenue assurance services.

“These arrests are linked to ongoing investigations into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding contracts between the GRA and SML,” the statement noted. “The probe also seeks to verify SML’s claims that its operations have significantly improved national revenue collection.”

The three suspects were detained on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, after failing to meet their bail conditions.

The SML scandal has emerged as one of the most high-profile corruption probes currently underway. Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has also been implicated in the matter and has been declared a suspect and a wanted fugitive by the OSP.

The investigation focuses on a series of agreements between SML and the GRA, covering oversight of petroleum and mineral revenues. Under the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration, SML was contracted to provide real-time monitoring and audit services to enhance tax compliance and revenue assurance in the downstream petroleum sector.

In 2023, the contract was significantly expanded to include upstream petroleum operations and the mining sector, prompting intense public scrutiny. Following a review conducted by KPMG, the government suspended the contract in 2024.

At the time of the suspension, SML had already received GH¢1.06 billion. If the contract had continued, the total cost to the state was projected to reach GH¢5.17 billion over a five-year period.

In response, a coalition of five Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) filed a lawsuit against the previous government, seeking to recover the GH¢1 billion already paid to SML.

The OSP has indicated that it will continue its investigation and provide further updates as new developments emerge.

OSP Arrests Former GRA Officials Over SML Contracts
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The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has arrested Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, former Commissioner-General of the GRA; Isaac Crentsil, ex-Commissioner of Customs and now General Manager…

— Office of the Special Prosecutor-Ghana (@ospghana) June 25, 2025

SML update

The rest of the suspects placed under arrest are;

Evans Adusei – CEO of SML

Philip Mensah – Former Deputy Commissioner of Legal GRA and now Legal consultant to SML

Joseph Kuruk and Faustina Adjorkor both staff of Public Procurement Authority.

And

Kofi Nti…

— Office of the Special Prosecutor-Ghana (@ospghana) June 25, 2025

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