EOCO Picks Ayariga 5 Cars …But Boss Denies Seizure

The Economic and Organized Crimes Office (EOCO) has seized five Land Cruisers allegedly belonging to Mahama Ayariga the Member of Parliament for Bawku Central.

Although the paper cannot independently verify the information, sources claim the vehicles were those he imported into the country through questionable means.

According to sources the vehicles with registration numbers GR 2220-18, GR 2221-18, GR 2222-18, GT 2243-17 and GT 4054-13 are currently parked at EOCO.

Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu had recently claimed that the Bawku Central MP has been sending emissaries to him to prevent investigation into the importation of the said cars.

Mr. Amidu said he has reported Ayariga’s harassing conduct to the EOCO.

“I asked EOCO on a number of occasions to warn the suspect to desist from his conduct of obstructing the investigations by soliciting others to put pressure on me to abate same to no avail,” he said.

Martin Amidu, according to a statement issued is investigating the MP for engaging in what the office of the Special Prosecutor believes to be corruption related activities while procuring vehicles.

“The preliminary investigations pertained to the importation into Ghana through corrupt means and corruption-related activities of three used white Toyota Land Cruiser V8 vehicles by using a Parliamentary Resolution dated 7th April 2017 contracting a facility of US$22, 500, 000.00 between the Parliamentary Service and the Societe Generale Bank (Ghana) which was for the purchase of one brand new official vehicle for each of the 275 Members of Parliament,” the statement said.

Martin Amidu also added that Mahama Ayariga early on refused to honour an invitation to EOCO. The Special Prosecutor office wasn’t set up at the time.

Speaking to K. K Amoah, the Executive Director of EOCO, he denied claims that the body has seized the cars.

Although he would not divulge any further information, he said EOCO had asked that some cars be brought which had been brought over a month ago.

“Yes, we asked that certain cars should be brought, he has done that about a month ago those cars were wanted.”