Andy Thomas Owusu, the second accused in Ghana’s high-profile corruption case involving the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), has opted to enter into plea bargaining negotiations with the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
This marks a significant step under Ghana’s newly formalised plea bargaining framework, which allows accused persons to negotiate reduced charges or sentencing in exchange for a guilty plea, potentially expediting legal proceedings.
Owusu, along with Charles Bissue, former Secretary to the IMCIM, faces 15 charges, including abuse of office, bribery, and obstructing the proper enforcement of Ghana’s mining regulations.
At a hearing before the Accra High Court, the OSP informed the judge of Owusu’s decision to pursue a plea agreement and requested additional time to finalise discussions and required documentation. The case has been adjourned until 4 June 2025.
The charges stem from a corruption probe involving allegations that GH¢15,000 was paid to Owusu as part of a broader bribery scheme aimed at manipulating the verification and licensing process for small-scale mining operations. Bissue is alleged to have received GH¢35,000, facilitated by Owusu, to unlawfully grant mining permits to ORR Resources Enterprise.
According to the OSP, the IMCIM was established in 2017 by then-President Nana Akufo-Addo to combat illegal mining. A moratorium was placed on artisanal and small-scale mining, which required firms to undergo a stringent vetting process in order to resume operations.
The prosecution alleges that the accused subverted this vetting process. Evidence presented by the OSP claims Owusu demanded a GH¢100,000 bribe, which was later reduced to GH¢40,000, from an undercover operative posing as an agent of ORR Resources. The funds were allegedly split between Bissue and Owusu, resulting in the illegal issuance of a compliance sticker and permit to the company.
The investigation forms part of a broader anti-corruption operation conducted by Tiger Eye P.I., known for its undercover journalism and stings into graft in Ghana’s public sector.
As the legal process unfolds, Owusu’s plea bargaining decision may have significant implications for the outcome of the trial, possibly reducing his sentence or charges in exchange for cooperation or a guilty plea.
