Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has called on the media to revisit the corruption case at the National Service Secretariat (NSS) during John Mahama’s administration.
He believes the public deserves to know the outcome of the investigations into that matter.
Awuni argued that if decisive action had been taken in the earlier cases, the current issues might have been avoided.
He noted that the ongoing scandals, including the recent NSS corruption case investigated by The Fourth Estate, have now led to court interventions to block its publication.
“In the John Mahama era, the National Intelligence Bureau (formerly BNI) investigated corruption at the National Service Secretariat.
“It was one of the few occasions when a state institution, other than the media, initiated an investigation that uncovered massive corruption and resulted in serious consequences against the perpetrators”.
Manasseh Azure Awuni
Manasseh Azure Awuni highlighted that the investigation led to the recovery of funds and the dismissal of numerous officials.
According to him, the NSS Director appointed during John Mahama’s administration, Mr. Alhassan Imoro, was also prosecuted in court.
Awuni further pointed out that Mr. Abu Jinapor, who served as a Deputy Chief of Staff in Akufo-Addo’s first term and is now the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, was part of the legal team that defended Mr. Imoro. “The case was still ongoing when President Mahama lost the 2016 election and left office”.
Awuni also disclosed that insider sources informed him that the investigation into the NSS scandal was initiated by Mr. Edward Yaw Donkor, the then National Security Coordinator and former BNI Director.
He added that the sources revealed how, under pressure from political authorities to abandon the extensive investigation, the National Intelligence Bureau leaked details of the case to the ‘Daily Graphic’. “That was how the NSS scandal became public and got the politicians to back off”.
Mahama’s Resistance In NSS Corruption Case Highlighted
Furthermore, Manasseh Azure Awuni stated that delegations of influential opinion leaders, including prominent traditional rulers, approached President Mahama, urging him to abandon the case against Mr. Alhassan Imoro.
He noted that despite the immense pressure, President Mahama remained resolute and refused to interfere.
According to Awuni, John Mahamastood firmly by his decision to allow the legal process to proceed without obstruction.
This, he indicated, demonstrated the former President’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, regardless of political or social influence.
“Some of us were not satisfied with Mahama’s handling of corruption, but comparing how cases like this were handled with what we have witnessed in the Akufo-Addo era, Ghana has sunk deeply.
“The Mahama presidency prosecuted and jailed Philip Assibit and a former NDC MP, Abuga Pele. The Mahama government retrieved millions of GYEEDA’s stolen cash and tamed the likes of rLG and many others”.
Manasseh Azure Awuni
He noted that despite the actions taken, they were deemed insufficient by many, as public dissatisfaction persisted.
According to Manasseh, citizens demanded stronger measures to address systemic issues and ensure accountability.
He indicated that even then-candidate Nana Akufo-Addo dismissed President Mahama’s actions on the GYEEDA scandal, which had been subjected to a thorough investigation, labeling them as merely a “sham.” “So why are we back to another scandal at the NSS?”
Manasseh Azure Awuni raised critical questions about the fate of the prosecution initiated during the Mahama administration against the NSS Director and other individuals implicated in the scandal.
He queried whether the Akufo-Addo administration pursued these cases to their logical conclusion or allowed them to languish without resolution.
Awuni demanded transparency, emphasizing the need to understand how the cases ended and whether justice was ultimately served.
This, he argued, is essential for maintaining public trust and ensuring accountability in the fight against corruption.
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