OSP Raids Fuel Depots Over Suspected Tax Evasion and Petroleum Import Fraud
Court-authorised operation targets multiple depots amid allegations of under-declaration and financial irregularities
- Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) conducts raids on five fuel depots and associated BDCs.
- Investigations focus on under-declaration of imports, misclassification of fuel, and potential tax evasion.
- Officials seize documents and electronic data; several persons of interest taken in for questioning.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has executed a court-approved operation targeting five fuel depots and their affiliated Bulk Distribution Company (BDC) facilities as part of efforts to address suspected irregularities in Ghana’s petroleum import sector.
According to the OSP, the raids are linked to an ongoing investigation into allegations of under-declared petroleum imports, deliberate misclassification of fuel during depot transfers, and large-scale tax evasion.
Preliminary findings suggest possible collaboration between some BDCs and officials from state institutions, including the National Petroleum Authority, Ghana Revenue Authority, and National Security Secretariat, to facilitate illicit financial activities. Investigators also suspect intermediaries may have been used to divert funds outside approved channels.
The companies under scrutiny include Platon Oil and Gas Ltd, Sentuo Oil, Akwaaba Oil, Sahara Oil and Gas Ltd, and Chase Petroleum Ghana Ltd. During the operation, officials reportedly seized key documents and electronic records, and several individuals identified as persons of interest were brought in for questioning.
The OSP stressed that the investigation is ongoing and promised further updates as evidence is analyzed.
