The Diplomatic Property In Nigeria
Ghana’s diplomatic reputation, recently shaken by a scandal involving the attempted illicit sale of state property in Nigeria, is now on the path to accountability.
A major suspect at the center of the controversy, Bright Mensah Bonsu, has been arrested by Ghanaian security agencies—marking a significant breakthrough in efforts to unravel one of the most brazen cases of international property fraud in Ghana’s recent history.
The news was confirmed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who has been leading the charge for justice and recovery of state assets.
Speaking to the press on April 15, 2025, the Minister simply declared:
“We got him!” The statement resonated strongly with the public, who have demanded swift action since the scandal first came to light.
At the heart of the controversy is Ghana’s beachfront diplomatic property in Lagos, Nigeria, valued at US$1.5 million.
According to Okudzeto Ablakwa, Mensah Bonsu allegedly received this amount in cash as part of an illegal deal to sell the property—a transaction that was never sanctioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and had no trace in official government financial records.
The Grand Conspiracy and the Late High Commissioner
Mensah Bonsu is said to have acted as a self-styled special aide to the late Ghana High Commissioner to Nigeria, Alhaji Rashid Bawa, who served under the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration.
Although he held no formal position in the foreign service, Mensah Bonsu reportedly had access to sensitive documents and operated with an air of authority within the diplomatic circle.
“This individual was never on the payroll of the Ministry or the High Commission. Yet he somehow gained a diplomatic passport and negotiated the illegal sale of a state asset,” Ablakwa stated.
The timeline of events suggests a calculated attempt to dispose of the Lagos property during the final months of the previous administration.
However, the return of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to power following the 2024 general elections seems to have stalled the conspiracy.
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs quickly launched a probe into the matter, aided by the change in administration and a renewed commitment to transparency.
Questions Over Diplomatic Passport Issuance
Adding another layer to the scandal is the revelation that Mensah Bonsu obtained a diplomatic passport on October 18, 2023.
The Ministry has since questioned the legitimacy of the issuance, suggesting that it was done in clear violation of diplomatic protocol.
“From all assessments, he could not have been eligible for a diplomatic passport. This alone raises red flags over how deep this conspiracy runs,” Ablakwa noted, hinting at potential collusion within the former administration’s foreign affairs bureaucracy.
Legal Proceedings and International Diplomacy
Okudzeto Ablakwa hinted that Mensah Bonsu has claimed he acted under instruction from superiors—an assertion the courts will now scrutinize.
“As we await prosecution, it would be interesting to see how Mr. Mensah Bonsu backs his claims that he acted on the instructions of his superiors,” Ablakwa said.
Meanwhile, both the Nigerian government and the intended property buyer have formally petitioned President Mahama’s administration, requesting immediate action and restitution.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry has assured all parties that the case is being treated with the utmost urgency and seriousness.
“This latest development should send clear signals to all stakeholders, including our Nigerian counterparts, that we will pursue justice and recover every pesewa of the US$1.5 million,” the Minister said.
–BY Daniel Bampoe
