OSP to investigate Bawumia as pro-Alan group submits petition(FULL PETITION)

A group of 3 individuals from the camp of Alan Kyerematen, leader of the Movement of Change has submitted a petition to the Office of Special Prosecutor(OSP) to investigate former Vice President of the Republic of Ghana and flagbearer aspirant of the leading opposition New Patriotic Party, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

The trio namely, Solomon Owusu, Andrew Appiah-Danquah, Edwin Godwin Buckman are charging the OSP under Act 2017 (Act 959), to conduct a full and independent investigation into recent public statements made by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

“In widely circulated video recordings and credible media reports, Dr. Bawumia is heard boasting of personally purchasing over three hundred (300) pickup vehicles for the NPP and claiming that “no one in the history of the party has raised the amount of money I have raised” for political campaigns. These declarations raise serious questions as to the source of the funds, the legality of the transactions, and the possible abuse of public office.” the petition states.

According to the trio as captured in the petition, the acquisition of over 300 pickup vehicles suggests access to extraordinary financial resources that demand verification of their origin and legitimacy.

“The Source of Funds – The acquisition of over 300 pickup vehicles suggests access to extraordinary financial resources that demand verification of their origin and legitimacy. Possible Abuse of Public Office – As a former Vice President and politically exposed person (PEP), Dr. Bawumia’s ability to raise such unprecedented sums gives rise to a reasonable suspicion of abuse of influence, conflict of interest, or diversion of public resources.”

FORMAL COMPLAINT AND PETITION FOR INVESTIGATION

To:
The Special Prosecutor
Office of the Special Prosecutor
P.O. Box CT 1113 Cantonments, Accra, Ghana

From:
Solomon Owusu
Andrew Appiah-Danquah, Esq.
Edwin Godwin Buckman

Date: 15 September 2025

Subject: Request for Investigation into Alleged Corruption, Illicit Enrichment, and Breaches of Ghana’s Political Financing Laws by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia

Dear Special Prosecutor,

We respectfully submit this petition pursuant to the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959), to request a full and independent investigation into recent public statements made by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, former Vice President of the Republic of Ghana and the 2024 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

In widely circulated video recordings and credible media reports, Dr. Bawumia is heard boasting of personally purchasing over three hundred (300) pickup vehicles for the NPP and claiming that “no one in the history of the party has raised the amount of money I have raised” for political campaigns. These declarations raise serious questions as to the source of the funds, the legality of the transactions, and the possible abuse of public office.

Grounds for Reasonable Suspicion

The magnitude of these financial claims triggers legitimate public concern that:

1. The Source of Funds – The acquisition of over 300 pickup vehicles suggests access to extraordinary financial resources that demand verification of their origin and legitimacy.
2. Possible Abuse of Public Office – As a former Vice President and politically exposed person (PEP), Dr. Bawumia’s ability to raise such unprecedented sums gives rise to a reasonable suspicion of abuse of influence, conflict of interest, or diversion of public resources.

Potential Breach of Political Financing and Anti-Corruption Laws

Ghana’s legal framework imposes strict disclosure, reporting, and anti-corruption obligations on public officers and political parties. Failure to adhere to these standards constitutes offences punishable under Ghanaian law.

Legal Basis for Investigation

The following statutory provisions provide firm jurisdictional and substantive grounds for your investigation:

• Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959):
  • Section 2(c) empowers the OSP to investigate and prosecute corruption and corruption-related offences committed by public officers and politically exposed persons, including abuse of office for personal or partisan benefit.
  • Section 3 authorizes the OSP to act upon credible complaints or reasonable suspicion, both of which are present here.
• Political Parties Act, 2000 (Act 574):
  • Section 21 requires political parties to declare and disclose their sources of funding.
  • Section 23 prohibits foreign or anonymous donations and mandates donor declarations. The procurement of over 300 vehicles and large-scale fundraising, if undisclosed or improperly sourced, would constitute a breach of these provisions.
• Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044):
  • Sections 1, 2, and 3 criminalize the concealment, conversion, transfer, or use of property known or suspected to be the proceeds of unlawful activity.
  • The Act imposes enhanced due-diligence obligations on politically exposed persons (PEPs) to explain the legitimate source of substantial funds. Any failure by Dr. Bawumia to demonstrate the lawful origin of the monies used to purchase the over 300 vehicles would trigger offences under this Act and justify OSP intervention.
• Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29):
  • Sections 239–244 criminalize corruption, bribery of public officers, and the use of public office for unjust enrichment.
• Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921):
  • Prohibits the misuse or diversion of public funds and imposes fiduciary duties on public officers.
• Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663) (as amended):
  • If state influence or non-competitive procurement was used in the acquisition of the vehicles, this would trigger violations of the Act.

Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, 1992:

• Article 286 requires public officers to declare assets and liabilities.
• Article 284 prohibits conflicts of interest and the use of public office for private gain.

Reliefs and Actions Sought

In the interest of safeguarding Ghana’s democratic integrity, we respectfully request that your office:

1. Commence a Full Investigation into the origin of the funds used to procure the over 300 pickup vehicles and to finance related political activities.
2. Conduct a Comprehensive Audit:
   • Undertake a forensic audit to determine the exact cost of purchasing the over 300 pickup vehicles, including all related expenditures, financing arrangements, and payment channels.
   • Require Dr. Bawumia to make a full and sworn declaration of the total amount expended on the said purchase and to explain, with verifiable evidence, the lawful sources of the funds.
   • Publish the audit findings in line with the transparency mandate of the Office of the Special Prosecutor and the disclosure obligations under the Political Parties Act.
3. Audit All Fundraising Activities led or managed by Dr. Bawumia to determine compliance with the Political Parties Act and related statutes.
4. Determine Whether Public or Illicit Funds Were Used, directly or indirectly, in contravention of the Public Financial Management Act or other laws.
5. Publish Your Findings to promote transparency and public accountability.

Conclusion

The Office of the Special Prosecutor was created to protect the Republic from precisely this type of suspected high-level corruption. The statements of Dr. Bawumia, a former Vice President and leading political figure, present a compelling case for urgent action.

We trust that your office will discharge its constitutional and statutory mandate with the independence, courage, and fairness that the public expects.

Respectfully submitted,

Solomon Owusu

Andrew Appiah-Danquah, Esq.

Edwin Godwin Buckman