The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has charged four public officials with corruption in connection with a scheme to fraudulently take possession of 10 containers of imported rice at the Tema Port.

The rice, imported from Thailand in 2022, was valued at $204,770 and had cleared all legal requirements, including the payment of duties.

Those charged are:


  • Issah Seidu, General Services Manager at the National Insurance Commission


  • James Keck Osei, former Director of Administration at the Office of the Vice President


  • John Abban and Peter Archibold Hyde, both senior officers at the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority

According to the OSP, Issah Seidu allegedly used forged documents—including a falsified letter purportedly from the Office of the Vice President—to claim ownership of the rice. He is accused of colluding with Osei, Abban, and Hyde to bypass official customs procedures and secure the containers under fraudulent pretenses.

Despite the rice being lawfully imported with all duties paid, the group attempted to have the goods auctioned to Seidu through corrupt means. The plan was uncovered following internal investigations and was later confirmed by a High Court ruling.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on June 19, 2025, the OSP announced that the four individuals will appear in court on Friday, June 27, 2025.

Court documents indicate that Seidu, 53, also operated as a businessman between April and July 2022. He faces a charge of corruption of a public officer, specifically for attempting to improperly influence James Keck Osei in the performance of his official duties.
See the OSP's post below: