Four CEPS OFFICERS ARRESTED OVER BRIBERY

Story: Albert K. Salia
FOUR officials of the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) who allegedly collected a GH¢2,000 (¢20 million) bribe from an importer have been apprehended.
The suspects, Alphonse Quainoo, Collector; Samuel Tei Nyakotey, Cornelius Amekudzi and Emmanuel Hammond, all Assistant Collectors, are currently in custody.
Nearly GH¢600 (¢6 million) was also said to have been retrieved from the drawers of the suspects, money which they allegedly claimed was given to them as tips by traders and importers.
A source close to the security agencies told the Daily Graphic yesterday that following complaints from importers and traders that CEPS officials often extorted money from them before valuing their goods, the security apparatus decided to monitor events at the Tema Port.
It said after studying the trend for some time, the officials became convinced of the allegations and decided to strike at the appropriate time.
The source said some officials of a security agency were on their rounds at the Car Park at the Tema Port on Wednesday when the importer handed over the money to the CEPS officials.
It said the money was stashed into the drawers of the suspects and they were subsequently arrested.
It said when the security officials conducted a search in the drawers, the various amounts of money were found.
According to the source, the suspects allegedly said the money constituted tips from clients.
The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, declined comment on the arrest of the four CEPS officers but expressed the hope that the law would take its course.
He urged revenue collectors to endeavour to be dedicated and true to their work to collect whatever money was due to the state to enable the government to meet the growing demands on it.
Mr Baah-Wiredu said 60 per cent of government revenue went into wages, salaries and pension payment.
He said for the past one-and-a-half years, CEPS had not been able to achieve its targets, adding that it was important that personnel of the revenue agencies committed themselves to their work to raise enough funds for the state to enable the government to discharge its development obligations.
Mr Baah-Wiredu said lack of revenue often compelled the government to borrow, which resulted in high interest rates.
“We need to collect all the arrears,” he said.
The minister, on July 30, this year, inaugurated a four-member committee to investigate allegations of extortion and bribery levelled against some officers of CEPS.
The committee, which is under the chairmanship of Mr Justice Samuel Glenn Baddoo, who is also the Chairman of the Police Council, is currently hearing evidence from witnesses.
The committee, among other things, is to investigate the allegations with a view to establishing administrative actions against the affected staff, identify management weaknesses in dealing expeditiously with disciplinary matters and review the systems, procedures, processes and rules and regulations of CEPS.