Information available to adomonline.com has confirmed the perceived impunity with which some
of Ghana’s National Security operatives are doing their works, especially at
Castle Blue Gate where confiscated vehicles are kept in trust for the state.
The specific case in question relates to a Land Rover Range
Rover vehicle, which the state took custody of for further investigations.
After GRA’s investigations into the matter, however, it requested
that the importer, Mr Toku Asiamah, paid some penalty to which he obliged and
duly paid.
Following the payment, the Commissioner of the Customs
Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority wrote to the Deputy Coordinator of the
National Security Council, asking that the vehicle be released to Mr Toku.
The letter, which was written by a Ghana Revenue Authority
official, Habib Osman, an Assistant Commissioner, Preventive on behalf of the
Commissioner and dated June 28, 2019 said among other things that checks run through the GCMS revealed that
the Customs Declaration and other documents presented by the applicant
correspond with what was found in the system.
Consequently,
Commissioner has therefore authorized the release of the vehicle to the owner
Toku Asiamah, the letter directed further.
In spite of the above letter, the Deputy Coordinator of the
National Security Council and his assigns at the Castle Blue Gate continue to
hold onto the vehicle despite several attempts by the vehicle owner to have
custody of his vehicle.
Facts available to us suggest that these operatives are
illegally keeping and using the vehicle with impunity and for their personal
errands.
