It is emerging that huge sums of money believed to have been stolen from state coffers have been traced to foreign accounts.
Sources investigating the stolen cash have said the offshore accounts are held in Europe, Asia and some African countries where there is financial stability.
The sources said details of the said accounts had been identified and it is likely to attract the attention of the Special Prosecutor, Martin Alamisi Burns Kaiser Amidu, when he is given the nod by parliament.
Amidu’s vow
During his marathon vetting on Tuesday, Mr. Amidu said that he has the capacity to track all stolen funds stashed in foreign accounts.
“We will trace them and then they have to decide whether they will come and pay reparation or bring the money back or we will deal with it,” he said, adding, “There is an international law on politically exposed persons. If you want to open an account with a certain bank, especially in the UK and America, they ask you to fill a declaration of consent that if questions are asked about you, the bank is at liberty to provide them.”
Legal assistance
He said, “….. So, legal assistance gives us an opportunity for those who think they are smart enough to put their monies and go through the Kotoka International Airport because they are exempted from very critical screening and deposit them abroad.”
The former Attorney General posited, “I was once the Minister for the Interior and so I know the security methods of doing it. We will use these methods.
No harassment
Mr Amidu said he was not coming into office to jail people and would be nice to all those who would show remorse and bring back their stolen public funds. He pleaded that there should not be any politicization of issues when people are arrested adding, “Crime is crime without political colouration and that is how the office will run if I am approved.
“We should go back and look at the offences the Special Prosecutor can prosecute. Out of the 10 offences listed with the general provision of other offences, six of them are misdemeanours, two are felonies, two are unclassified. So for me, the issue is not necessarily wanting to fill Nsawam with people.”
Justifying his position, he said, “What is the use imprisoning him if you can’t get the monies back? If he agrees to get the monies back only for a conviction and probation, I think that is better for the nation than imprisoning him 10 years, feed him 10 years, give him prison clothing and if he is grown, he will have chronic conditions and be sending him to hospital. If you will bring part of the money back or all of it and it is reasonable, that is the thing I like about this section so that those who think that the office is just to be there locking people left, right and centre will realise that the office will act reasonably.”
Mr. Amidu added, “This plea bargaining thing has a good incentive. If people want to make reparation for the consideration of the court and go and sin no more, the office will have to take into consideration all the grounds upon which reparation must be accepted and the reparation must be reasonable because it will come to the knowledge of the people of this country.”
Source: dailyguideafrica.com
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BECAUSE OF THE WORK OF CRIMINALS AROUND THE GLOBE, THE BANKS ARE SIGNING FULL DISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS WITH SECURITY AGENCIES RE: THEIR CLIENTS UNDER SUSPICION"S DETAILS.
Massa; Why do some fulls seek to think that nothing can be done in this world ; Martin-Amidu can seek; buy and sell any information any where from Banks and financial institution in the world ; diplomatic means can be used to trigger into stolen monies anywhere ; any stated confidentiality clause can be challeged in court today and where a prima facie case of a crime is established information will be demanded or the organisation sued ; this is a very complex area of legal thought .
As far as you are a political figure,if the nation you served want an information about you it will surely be given.Why was Buhari able to track all stolen funds.When the time comes you will know that power they some where.They can truck every information on anybody as far as international rules are concern
I think Mr Martin Amindu is over zealous. He should give us a break. There's no bank in the world or under this sun will disclose its customers' accounts details to anybody because he or she the special prosecutor. Even his own NGO that he formed or registered won't disclose its account number. He should get that straight. It's only the taxpayers' money that would go into the drains through the creation of this office. Well, I must congratulate the president for establishing this office. At least it will put some fear into those who will make up their mind to enrich themselves overnight. The NPP is always fond of making history when they are power. If NPP will take this piece of advise I think it'll do them some good. They give this job to Anas and Martin Amidu should assist him. Anas has chalked several success than Martin. Anas is the best man fit for the job. Maybe Martin should do some collaboration with him. Mr Preseident, give this a thought...
Amidu coming to waste his own time and our money on a wild goose chase. Which foreign bank will share its banking secrecy and account details with Amidu? Good luck!
Amish coming to waste his own time and our money on a wild goose chase. Which foreign bank will share its banking secrecy and account details with Amidu? Good luck!
the editors of peacefm news media are very big fooooooools. do u have to write his full name? foooooooolishhh ediots. Special Prosecutor, Martin Alamisi Burns Kaiser Amidu. what is the sense in mentioning all his names? kwassssia editor
Some of our news stations and newspapers are being managed by ediots. If it is even true that, this is what amidu intends to do, is it necessary for this to be published. Do they think that those suspected to have robbed the state could find ways of transferring monies or better still use other relatives names to cover up. Any wise editors, for security reasons would not disclose the intention of Martin amidu in the media. Egimifoo!!!!!!!!.