The Ministry of Justice and Attorney General’s Department has been cited in the 2018 Auditor General’s Report for its failure to transfer over GH¢4 million in criminal case proceeds into the Consolidated Account.
According to the report, the amount was realized from a court case involving the Republic and Flamengo Foods in 2016.
Almost three years on, the over $960,000 has not been lodged into the Ministry’s account at the Bank of Ghana.
“The Ministry of Justice and Attorney General (MoJAG) maintains a US$ Account with Bank of Ghana into which lodgment of royalties are made. Our review of the account disclosed a balance of US$969,455.50 which had not been transferred into the Consolidated Fund Account since 2016. 471. The Chief Accountant explained that, the balance on the account was from proceeds realized from a court case involving the Republic vrs Flamingo Foods, in the year 2016,” the report said.
Regulation 22 of the Financial Administration Regulations, 2004 states that, all public monies collected shall be paid in gross into the Public Funds Accounts and no disbursement shall be made from the money collected except as provided by an enactment.
The Auditor-General recommended that the Chief Director of the Ministry liaise with the Attorney General and the relevant persons to immediately “ensure that, the balance of US$969,455.50 is transferred into the Consolidated Fund without further delay.”