SKB Journal sources say the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) arrested and detained the immediate past Director-General of the Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority (GPHA), Michael Lukodzi, and the Financial Controller, Tebon Zumah over alleged massive misappropriation of the finances of the authority.
The two officials are assisting EOCO to establish the facts of the allegations.
The action by officials of EOCO follows damning allegations revealed by Nana Kojo Abbam, a research fellow at the Forum for Development and Accountable Governance (FDAG) in a news item carried by Accra-based Metro TV.
This alleged corruption, according to a document cited by SKBÂ Journal involves funds related to the construction of the Boankra Inland Project.
Among a number of allegations, the office is investigating include the alleged diversion of €95 million in GPHA shares from the Meridian Ports Services (MPS) into the Boankra Inland Project, with no clear accountability on fund usage.
EOCO is also looking into how over $10 million was reportedly spent on an administration block in Keta, which, to date, does not exist.
Ten container-handling trailers are also alleged to have mysteriously disappeared from the Tema port fuelling suspicions of foul play.
There are also alleged elements of unmerited promotions and mass equipment transfer to private entities which are also subject matter of the investigations of EOCO.
The arrest and questioning of the financial controller, Tebon Zumah come amid speculations that he is being considered for the position of GPHA Director-General. But the job has since been offered to Brigadier-General Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono.
As investigations deepen, Ghanaians are closely watching to see whether accountability and justice will prevail in what could be one of the biggest corruption scandals to hit GPHA in recent years, if it turns out to be true.
This action comes the very day President Mahama announced a decisive action to ban non-essential travel and first-class tickets for all his appointees in a bid to protect the public purse.
