We’ll recover GHS125m from SML

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has announced that it will recover GHS125 million from Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) after investigations revealed the company received overpayments from the state.

Speaking at a press briefing in Accra on Thursday, October 30, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng stated that the amount represents unjust enrichment through automatic payments made to SML that were not tied to actual performance.

The OSP’s investigation found that SML lacked the expertise and capacity to provide the transaction audit and external price verification services it was contracted for. The company also failed to submit verified invoices to justify payments.

The probe revealed that the downstream petroleum audit system allowed SML to earn money without corresponding work done. Furthermore, the use of percentage-based payment models encouraged inflated figures, leading to excessive and undeserved payments.

Mr. Agyebeng noted that the GHS125 million recovery amount was determined based on the principle of quantum meruit, which requires anyone who gains undue financial benefit to return it to the state.

He emphasized that the recovery effort is part of the OSP’s wider mission to protect public funds, promote accountability, and ensure transparency in government contracts and procurement processes.