The legal battle surrounding former Power Minister Kwabena Donkor continues to escalate, with lawyer K.T. Hammond asserting that his client cannot be held responsible for allegations linking him to alleged corruption allegedly perpetrated by former Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) boss, Asante Berko. The crux of this dispute revolves around a complex web of accusations, stemming from a US investigation into potential bribery involving Asante Berko and a significant power project under the previous administration. Mr. Hammond made this point during a Monday broadcast on JoyNews’ ‘Top Story,’ responding to inquiries concerning the alleged scandal. Asante Berko, a former Goldman Sachs banker and a former Managing Director of TOR, was formally accused by US authorities of facilitating millions of dollars in bribes to influence Ghanaian officials in connection with this power project. The allegations center around a scheme that could have potentially involved a substantial bribery operation. Mr. Hammond’s legal team is emphasizing that allegations alone do not constitute criminal or legal liability, stating that standard engineering practices necessitate thorough equipment inspections before any project is introduced into the country. He further contends that any corrupt dealings that might have transpired were entirely unrelated to Dr. Donkor’s position as Power Minister during the negotiation and signing of the agreement.
This development comes amidst heightened scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding the power agreement itself, and a series of allegations circulating within US authorities proceedings against Mr. Berko. Dr. Donkor served as the Power Minister when the agreement was finalized, and he has consistently maintained that the deal was entirely legitimate and that the government’s decision was sound. In a related development, three individuals were recently convicted for defrauding a trader of approximately GH¢38,450 through a series of fake MoMo transactions. These convictions underscore the gravity of the accusations and the potential for financial losses stemming from the alleged bribery scheme.
Hammond’s assertion highlights a strategic legal maneuver designed to mitigate potential liability for his client. The inquiry into Asante Berko’s activities has significantly increased the stakes in this case, with the US authorities now focusing intensely on the potential connections between the allegations and the Power Minister’s role. The legal team for Dr. Donkor intends to continue to vigorously defend his client, emphasizing the lack of evidence to substantiate the accusations leveled against him. The ongoing investigation has prompted a deeper examination of the engineering oversight procedures employed during the project’s development, with the aim of identifying any potential vulnerabilities that could have contributed to the alleged corruption. The situation continues to evolve, with legal teams preparing for potential further developments in this complex case.
Further investigation into the details of the power project and the alleged bribery scheme is expected, with authorities maintaining their investigation into the full extent of the financial implications of the alleged transactions. The legal team for Dr. Donkor is actively seeking to explore all possible avenues to protect his client’s interests, emphasizing the need for a thorough and impartial investigation.
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Source: Adom Online
