Manhyia South MP Charged With Money Laundering, Causing Financial Loss – Atta Akyea

The lawyer for Manhyia South Member of Parliament, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, says the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has formally charged his client with offences including money laundering and causing financial loss to the state.

Speaking in an interview on Thursday, October 1, lawyer Samuel Atta Akyea confirmed that EOCO had presented the charges against the MP, who is being investigated over transactions involving SIC Life Savings and Loans.

“Yes indeed. I’m talking about loss of public funds and also causing loss and then money laundering,” he said.

However, Mr Atta Akyea rejected the allegations, insisting that his client’s involvement in the transaction was part of legitimate legal services provided to SIC Life.

According to him, SIC Life engaged the law firm to recover an investment from Equity Savings and Loans, leading to court proceedings, a judgment and subsequent steps to recover the funds.

He argued that the available documentation, including court filings and the entry of judgment, shows that the law firm was acting on its client’s instructions and questioned how the transaction could amount to criminal conduct.

Mr Atta Akyea also disputed the reported value of the investment, saying the entry of judgment reflected an amount of about GH¢10 million, rather than GH¢14 million.

He further questioned whether the matter falls within EOCO’s mandate.

EOCO has said its investigation concerns alleged unauthorised financial transactions involving SIC Life Savings and Loans, including suspected financial loss, dissipation of public funds and money laundering. The allegations have not been determined by a court.

Mr Baffour Awuah reported himself to EOCO on Thursday after the Accra High Court issued a warrant authorising his arrest and the search and seizure of documents relevant to the investigation.

EOCO subsequently placed him under arrest and said he was cooperating with investigators.