Former Education and Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh
The Deputy Attorney General has confirmed that former Energy and Education Minister Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, widely known as NAPO, is under investigation by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB).
But Dr Justice Srem Sai insists this does not mean the former minister is guilty of any crime.
“He said he’s been going to NIB for a while now. Nobody knew until he said it publicly,” Dr Srem Sai stated on JoyNews’ PM Express on Wednesday night.
According to him, the investigations relate to projects undertaken during Dr Opoku Prempeh’s tenure across two ministries over the eight years of the Akufo-Addo administration.
“A number of things,” he said when asked what the probe was about.
“He was a minister for Energy and Education…so definitely, we have projects that were undertaken during his time. And so he would definitely be answering questions in respect of that.”
One such issue involves the infamous “mathematical sets” procurement, which fell under the Education Ministry. However, Dr Srem Sai was quick to point out that being invited for questioning does not automatically translate into culpability.
“You will not be prosecuted unless there is evidence that you were complicit in some of the things you undertook,” he stressed.
“The fact that you’re a minister at the time doesn’t mean that you will be criminally liable for anything.”
He cited the example of the controversial Sky Train project.
“Former AG and later Railway Minister Joe Ghartey at one point was invited. But he explained his side of the story. When you look at the charge sheet for Sky Train, he’s not on it.”
Dr Srem Sai cautioned against conflating ministerial oversight with personal liability.
“There are things that can happen in the ministry which may not be your doing,” he said. “And the fact that you have been invited for questioning doesn’t mean that you are guilty.”
He was also full of praise for how many government officials are cooperating with investigative processes without media fanfare.
“I appreciate the demeanour of a lot of the government appointees,” he noted.
“Once in a while, you hear that someone has been picked up, or someone has been invited…but I can tell you, a large number of the persons who have been arrested, now on bail, who are under investigation, are quiet.”
He said these officials respect the process. “They will not make any noise about it. Some of them believe that the process must be followed.”
Though a few people “come in the media” and cause “massing up to go to EOCO,” Dr Srem Sai said most do what the law requires without drama.
“You go to court when the evidence shows that there’s a crime,” he concluded.
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