Missing Excavators: Frimpong-Boateng appeals to CID to investigate Peace FM journalist and others
Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology want the Criminal Investigation Department(CID) to investigate Peace FM journalist, Seth Mantey and a National Security Officer in the ongoing missing excavators’ saga.
The sector minister, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, in a letter has appealed to the Police to probe a journalist working with Accra-based Peace FM and a national security officer.
In a letter to the police, the sector minister claimed the reporter, in October 2019 used his National Investment Bank (NIB) account to receive and distribute proceeds of the alleged sale of the excavators.
The letter goes on to explain that, “In the course of the investigations, Mr Mantey confessed that he was contacted by Mr John Ofori-Atta, then National Security Coordinator, for the Central Region and Mr Ekow Ewusi to use his bank account.”
“The money’s lodged were later cashed and given to Mr John Ofori Atta who in turn gave some of the money to Ekow Ewusi, ” the letter available to theghanareport.com said
Update on Mr Ewusi
Mr Ekow Ewusi was picked up by the CID on February 3, 2020.
He was said to have provided support to Operation Vanguard by providing space for the seized excavators to be kept.
He was invited for interrogation over his role in the missing excavators and other equipment seized from illegal miners.
His arrest was triggered by a request from Prof. Frimpong-Boateng, to the Director-General, CID Headquarters, Accra, to commence investigations into the missing excavators and some other equipment.
“Mr Ekow Ewusi was contracted to cart excavators and other vehicles and pieces of equipment seized by Operation Vanguard to designated areas for safekeeping. We have received information that he sent an unknown number of the equipment to unauthorised locations, including one in Tema.
“This was confirmed by the caretaker of the depot in Tema. Information reaching me indicates that he has sold an unknown number of pieces of equipment, including excavators. I wish to appeal to the Police Authorities to investigate the matter”, the letter dated February 3, 2020, and requesting the Police to probe into the matter in part read.
Following his arrest, the names of some persons believed to be his friends who have ample knowledge and at a point played a role in moving the excavators from its authorized location, have popped up.
One of such persons is the Agona West Constituency NPP Chairman, Kojo Addo, who allegedly played a leading role in organizing some people to stage series of demonstrations against executives of the Central Regional NPP for suspending Mr Ewusi.
Click the link below and read on the story so far on the number of people arrested…
Knee jerk reactions…..