Abu Jinapor, the member of parliament for the Damongo and Minister for Lands and natural resources through a petition by Kpembewura, has facilitated the release and pardon of Alhaji Salifu Mimina Osman of Gonjaland who was sentenced to a five-year jail term in 2020 for willfully causing financial loss to the state in what has become known as the National Communications Authority (NCA) scandal.
According to a letter from the presidency which was cited by our reporter, the release of Alhaji Salifu Mimina Osman followed a petition the President received from the paramount chief of the Kpembi Traditional area and facilitated by Samuel Abu Jinapor requesting that Alhaji Osman be freed from prison custody on the grounds of good behaviour and ill health.
In the letter dated 1st August, 2023 and signed by the Secretary to President Nana Bediatuo Asante, the President charged the Minister of the Interior to take the necessary steps to immediately give effect to the presidential pardon.
The decision of the President was made in accordance with Article 72 (1) (a) of the Constitution and after consulting with the Council of State, citing grounds of ill health, compassion and good behaviour as the basis for setting Alhaji Salifu Mimina Osman free from lawful custody.
The news of the presidential pardon has elicited mixed reactions, with some praising Abu Jinapor and the President’s gesture of mercy.
Meanwhile the Ministry of Interior has directed the Ghana Prisons Service to ensure the prompt implementation of the pardon for Alhaji Salifu Mimina Osman to allow him to be released from custody without delay for him to resume his life outside of prison.
Alhaji Salifu Mimina Osman had previously served as a Deputy National Security Coordinator under former President John Dramani Mahama.
The Accra High Court, presided over by Justice Eric Kyei Baffour in May 2020 sentenced the former Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Salifu Mimina Osman to five years imprisonment.
Alhaji Mimina Osman was one of three persons found guilty of 14 different charges including causing financial loss to the state and contravention of the Public Procurement Act in the procurement of surveillance equipment for the National Security Council Secretariat.
Former board chair of the National Communications Authority (NCA), Eugene Baffoe Bonnie was sentenced to six years in prison while the former NCA Director-General, William Tevie was sentenced to five years.
The three got a total of 16 years in prison by the Accra High Court with hard labour.
William Tevie and Alhaji Osman were both found guilty on the charges of conspiracy to willfully cause financial loss to the state, contravention of public procurement act and intentionally misapplying public property.
Source: Padfm.com.gh/Kumatey Gorden/0243531604
