Court Stops Special Prosecutor From Freeze Sir John’s Assets

An Accra high court has thrown out an application by the Office of the Special Prosecutor to seize the assets of the late former CEO of the Forestry Commission, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie popularly known as Sir John.

The Special Prosecutor (SP) in a press statement noted that the court has directed his office not to continue to seize the assets of Sir John.

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The SP had suspected corruption after the late NPP stalwart’s will got leaked, hence, the SP froze the assets of Sir John for further investigation.

The OSP filed an application at the court for confirmation of the freezing order but the application was today, Tuesday, July 12, 2022, dismissed by an Accra High Court presided over by Her Ladyship, Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe.

According to the OSP, the judge misunderstood freezing Sir John’s assets to confiscation of his assets and, thus, will appeal the ruling.

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“The judge with respect totally misapprehended the application for confirmation of the freezing order and misdirected herself by characterising the application as that of a confiscation order,” the OSP said in a statement.

The OSP commenced investigations into alleged corruption by Sir John after it emerged that he had illegally acquired state lands within the Achimota forest and the Sakumono Ramsar site and willed it to his family members forever.