EOCO, Special Prosecutor deny seizing Mahama Ayariga’s cars

• Posted on August 17, 2018
• by Ellsamwise King
• Comment

The Office of the Special Prosecutor and the Economic and Organized Crimes Office (EOCO) have denied seizing vehicles belonging to Bawku Central Member of Parliament, Mahama Ayariga.

The two investigative bodies have said they are treating the vehicles as exhibits in an ongoing investigation against the MP.

The Special Prosecutor’s Office and EOCO are investigating Mahama Ayariga for possible tax evasion in the importation of the three luxury vehicles.

Earlier media reports suggested that EOCO had seized the three vehicles from the legislator.

But in a clarification, the two institutions said only two of the V8s are in their exhibit garage, adding that no seizure notices have been issued to that effect.

They stated further that the third vehicle, which was recently involved in an accident, is in the custody of the police at Kasoa.

Martin Amidu earlier reported Mahama Ayariga to the Economic and Organized Crime Organization (EOCO) for attempting to obstruct his investigations.

Mr. Ayariga is said to have sent personal friends, former colleagues, chiefs, pastors among others, to plead with Mr. Amidu on his behalf.

This is despite warnings from Martin Amidu.

“I asked the EOCO on a number of occasions to warn the suspect to desist from his conduct of obstructing the investigation by soliciting others to put pressure on me to abate same to no avail….I have accordingly, on 3^rd August 2018, requested the EOCO to investigate my complaint against the suspect for obstructing me, the Special Prosecutor, in the performance of the functions of my office as the Special Prosecutor.”

The three used white Toyota Land Cruiser V8 vehicles were imported using a Parliamentary Resolution dated 7^th April, 2017.

The resolution was for a facility of $322,500,000 contracted between the Parliamentary Service and the Societé General Bank for the purchase of one brand new official vehicle for each of the 275 Members of Parliament.”

Source: CNR