Bribery allegation: Minister exonerated, Smart suspected

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, while exonerating the Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako-Attah in a bribery allegation, says it rather considers radio presenter Captain Smart a suspect.

The CID says it has evidence against Captain Smart on offences of defrauding by false pretences contrary to Section 131 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) and accepting or giving bribe to corrupt a public officer contrary to the same Act.

“Investigation could not adduce evidence that Hon. Kwasi Amoako-Attah had knowledge of the money taken from the victim by suspect Captain Smart. Again there is no evidence to suggest that suspect Captain Smart after extorting the GH¢25,000.00 from the victims gave same to Hon. Kwasi Amoako Attah,” the CID said in their findings.

On August 24, 2021, the Minister filed a complaint against Captain Smart in relation to alleged bribery and corruption of GH¢25,000.00, which was said to have been aired on Net 2 TV and Oman FM.

According to the police, Captain Smart is said to have extorted the said amount from some taxi drivers and Gifty Twumasi, a resident of Achimota Mile 7, supposedly to thank the minister, for preventing a private developer from developing a reserved area meant for road construction, which the taxi drivers used as a taxi station.

“Two witnesses corroborated that suspect Captain Smart requested for the money to be given and they were present when the amount of GH¢25,000.00 was handed over to the suspect,” the CID said.

Police said the radio presenter confirmed receiving an amount of GH¢10,000.00 and not GH¢25,000.00

They also said during interrogations, Captain Smart refuted allegations that he requested for monies to be given to the Minister.

The police have said investigations are being finalised for prosecution.