–BY Daniel Bampoe
Three directors of Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) have been arrested by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) following a high-profile raid on the company’s offices in Osu and Tema on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
The move forms part of the OSP’s ongoing investigation into alleged financial irregularities surrounding a multi-million cedi contract between SML and the Government of Ghana.
The arrests were carried out by OSP operatives, with support from the National Security Secretariat, under the authority of a court-sanctioned operation.
During the raid, critical hardware and documents — including servers, technical equipment, and proprietary systems — were seized for forensic analysis.
According to sources close to the investigation, the OSP is seeking to uncover the full extent of alleged procurement breaches and assess whether public funds were misappropriated in the award and execution of the contract.
Investigators reportedly believe the seized data could provide key evidence in the ongoing probe.
The operation caused a stir at both locations, with staff reportedly taken by surprise.
In its official response, SML confirmed that four employees were temporarily detained during the operation, with three directors still in OSP custody as of Tuesday evening.
The company also alleges that two staff members were assaulted during the raid — claims the OSP has not publicly addressed.
SML Condemns Raid
In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday, SML condemned the OSP’s actions as “unwarranted and unjustified,” arguing that it had been cooperating with investigators since March 2025.
“This raid was conducted without prior notice or formal communication. It disregards the cooperative posture we have maintained throughout this process,” the statement read.
The company warned that the operation has severely disrupted Ghana’s petroleum revenue assurance systems, including real-time monitoring and fuel reconciliation activities at 26 depots nationwide.
These systems, SML said, are essential to safeguarding state revenue and combating fuel diversion, tax evasion, and data manipulation.
SML estimates the state could lose over GH¢348 million each month as a result of the shutdown, and fears the seizure of its proprietary technology — developed with private capital — puts critical intellectual property at risk.
OSP Stands by Its Actions
Despite the backlash, the Office of the Special Prosecutor is standing by the legality of its operation.
In an internal communication, the OSP indicated that the search and arrests were executed with proper legal backing and formed part of a broader commitment to rooting out corruption and enforcing accountability in public financial management.
The OSP has been probing the SML contract for months amid growing questions about its value for money, transparency, and the role of political actors in securing the deal.
One of those actors, former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, has already been declared a fugitive by the OSP. An INTERPOL Red Notice has been issued for his arrest.
However, the former minister’s family has pushed back, accusing the OSP of pursuing a politically motivated vendetta.
In a statement released Monday, the family called for the Red Notice to be rescinded, arguing it was based on flawed and manipulated information.
Company Appeals to State Agencies
In light of the arrests and operational disruptions, SML has appealed to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Ministry of Finance, and other regulatory bodies to intervene.
It is demanding immediate steps to restore its monitoring systems and to safeguard confidential data collected through its work with the government.
“The dismantling of the nation’s only independent petroleum monitoring system is a serious setback to Ghana’s digital governance and revenue protection agenda,” the company warned.
Despite the unfolding legal drama, SML has reaffirmed its dedication to supporting national development through innovation and transparency. The company is urging a return to dialogue and legal due process.
Background
SML has been a key partner of the GRA since 2020, credited with contributing over GH¢20 billion in additional revenue to the state.
Its data systems have reportedly closed long-standing gaps in petroleum sector revenue accounting, reducing discrepancies between GRA and National Petroleum Authority (NPA) records by 92%.
