In response to recent allegations by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), former Minister of Lands and Natural Resources under the erstwhile National Democratic Congress’s administration, Honorable Inusah Fuseini, has denied owning any properties in Dubai.
The former Member of Parliament for Tamale Central Constituency, in a sharp rebuttal, expressed shock and disbelief at the accusations, especially the specific mention of Jumeirah, a location he claims to be unfamiliar with.
“This matter, having been published at this time that I, Inusah Fuseini, own 20 properties in high-end areas of the desert. You even mentioned Jumeirah in Dubai; I don’t even know there”.
Honorable Inusah Fuseini, former Minister of Lands and Natural Resources
Honourable Fuseini, who served as a minister from 2014 to January 2017 under the erstwhile Mahama’s administration refuted the allegations, labelling the story as inaccurate.
He emphasized that the report was based on allegations and, upon encountering the story, he immediately referred it to his lawyers.
When questioned about owning any property in Dubai, the former Member of Parliament for Tamale Central refrained from providing further details, citing ongoing investigations by his legal team and advising caution in making extensive comments on the matter.
“This could be one of the attempts to deflect the attention that is being drawn on the government onto former ministers, and so we have to wait for the details, and my lawyers are studying the story carefully”.
Honorable Inusah Fuseini, former Minister of Lands and Natural Resources
Furthermore, Honorable Inusah Fuseini expressed concern about the potential impact of such allegations on his reputation, urging patience until all facts are thoroughly examined.
He asserted that even though the allegations have cast a dent on his reputation and every individual involved, he will not rush in making prejudicial comments on the matter.
He emphasized that any action he will take on the matter will be based on the recommendations of his lawyers after they are done studying the allegations so that he doesn’t compromise his right to take further action on the matter.
Political Machinations
Meanwhile, another National Democratic Congress former Member of Parliament named in the report, Moses Asaga, dismissed the claims as a political machination.
Mr Asaga, former Member of Parliament for Nabdam Constituency defended his ability to legally acquire a property worth $133,000, given his extensive career at Ecobank, GNPC, and various governmental roles including Deputy Minister of Finance and Minister for Employment.
He criticized the report, highlighting the disparity in property scrutiny between politicians from different parties.
“I thought I had done something criminal and corrupt worth investigating. $133,000, shouldn’t I be able to own such an investment? What are the prices of Trasaco properties $1m- $3m who are staying there?
“Is it not politicians and majority NPP functionaries? Has the OCCRP gone to put a story on them? This is a political machination”.
Moses Asaga, former Member of Parliament for Nabdam Constituency
He further questioned the rationale behind the allegations, noting his three-decade-long career and the ability to afford a student one-bedroom apartment worth $133,000, stressing his previous work at Ecobank, and GNPC and Deputy Minister of Finance, Minister for Employment, and CEO of NPA.
He quizzed whether despite his long service in public service he could not afford an investment of $133,000 for a student one-bedroom apartment, asking what the crime and corruption involved in the sum of investment associated with him in the report.
According to the Daily Dispatch Newspaper, the OCCRP report claimed that Mr Fuseini and other prominent public officers in Ghana own multiple high-end properties in the UAE.
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