[ 2017-04-25 ]

Ibrahim Mahama

Ibrahim Mahama closed his accounts after issuing the cheques – GRA insists
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has insisted
that businessman, Mr Ibrahim Mahama closed his
account after issuing cheques to pay for duties on
equipment and vehicles he imported through the
Tema Port in 2015.

Contrary to comments by spokespersons and
associates of Mr Mahama as well as leading members
of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that the
accounts were only dormant, Mr Robert Mensah, an
Assistant Commissioner at the GRA in charge of
Communications has insisted that, the GRA’s
information from the banks indicated that the
accounts had been closed.

In a radio interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen
programme on Tuesday afternoon, Mr Mensah said the
cheques, 24 in total [ 12 for MBG and 12 for
Hollman Brothers] were for monthly instalments
[January 2016 to December 2016].

“When the January cheque was presented we found
out that the accounts were closed,” Mr Mensah
said and added that from February to December they
(GRA) did not present the other cheques.

Asked to explain whether the banks told GRA the
accounts were dormant or had been closed, Mr
Mensah said it was closed.

The Ningo-Prampram Member of Parliament (MP), Sam
Nartey George, private legal practitioner Abraham
Amaliba and one Rafiq Rufai, speaking as
associates of Mr Ibrahim Mahama in separate media
interviews insisted that Mr Mahama did not issue
dud cheques, rather they said the account was only
dormant.

Mr Amaliba for instance in an interview on Class
FM said the GRA went ahead to draw cheques from
the account despite an earlier warning to hold on
with the withdrawals until certain payments had
been made into it by the government.

“Who asked GRA nonetheless to present those
cheques for the creation of that offence as
issuing dud cheques because when you issue a
cheque, you either tell the person he should go
and cash it or you give a counter-order that:
‘Don’t go until you crosscheck with me,’”
Amaliba said.

Rufai on his part told the Daily Guide newspaper
that, GRA was not supposed to present the cheques
to the bank at the time they did.

“Who submitted the cheques… we told them to
wait till a certain period,” he said.

Mr George on his part said the cheques may have
been dishonoured because of a hitch but the
accounts were not closed as being claimed by the
GRA, adding that “not all cheques issued
bounced”.

Background

The businessman, Mr Ibrahim Mahama is a brother of
former President John Dramani Mahama. He owns a
number of businesses including Engineers &
Planners, a popular construction company, MBG
Limited and Holman Brothers.

Through MBG Limited and Holman Brothers, he
imported heavy duty construction equipment and
vehicles into Ghana in 2015 and entered into an
agreement with the GRA to spread payment of the
import duty over some months.

Later, the Assin Central Member of Parliament, Mr
Kennedy Agyapong on separate media platforms
alleged that Mr Mahama had issued issued 44 dud
cheques to the GRA in connection with the payment
of the duties and the GRA had been quiet about
it.

Mr Agyapong reportedly tipped off the Economic and
Organised Crime Office (EOCO), culminating in an
invitation of Mr Mahama last week.

Following that a two-week ultimatum has been given
to Mr Mahama to pay some Gh¢12.7million owed by
the two companies. The amount includes interest
and penalty.

Source - Graphic.com.gh

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