OSP charges Ex-Veep aide, three officials over Tema Port rice scandal

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has formally charged four public officials in connection with an alleged plot to steal ten containers of imported rice from the Tema Port.

The accused include Issah Seidu, an officer at the National Insurance Commission; James Keck Osei, a former Director at the Office of the Vice President; and two senior officials of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, John Abban and Peter Archibold Hyde.

This was confirmed by the OSP in a social media post on [X] on Thursday, June 18.

The accused are facing corruption-related offenses following investigations into the attempted fraudulent auction and diversion of rice imported from Thailand in 2022.

According to the OSP, the rice containers, which had already been cleared with duties paid, were reportedly targeted through the use of forged documents, including a fake letter purportedly issued from the Office of the former Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

The OSP alleged that Seidu, who is the mastermind, with the assistance of Osei and the customs officials, conspired to manipulate the port’s auction procedures to illegally claim the rice containers.

However, the plot was uncovered following internal investigations and a subsequent ruling by a High Court, which exposed the scheme and halted the transfer of the goods.

The four accused persons are set to appear before the court on Friday, June 27, 2025.