2 Urban Roads Directors Charged for Bribery

Two directors of the Department of Urban Roads have been dragged before Accra Circuit Court for allegedly taking bribes.

They are; Benjamin Bampoh, the Tema Metropolitan Director and Francis Torso, who is also the New Juaben Municipal Director of the Department.

The two, both Civil Engineers are before the court for allegedly demanding and taking bribes totaling GH¢ 3,000 from one Saaka Salia, a farmer and an anti-corruption campaigner under the pretexting of awarding him contact while in the performance of their respective duties.

Charged with conspiracy to corrupt a public officer and corruption by a public officer, the two denied the charges.

They were subsequently admitted to bail in the sum of GH¢30,000 with one surety each.

The two are back in court on November 28, 2017.

According to the prosecution, in May 2017, the complainant received several reports that the accused persons have been using their offices to amass wealth by awarding urban road contracts to persons after taking huge sums of money from them depending on the value of the contract.

To ascertain the truth or otherwise, the complainant and other witnesses visited the office of Benjamin at Tema to find out the modus operandi used by the accused persons.

At a meeting with Benjamin, he convinced witnesses of his ability together with Francis to award them a very lucrative contract provided they can do “something”

The prosecution said the witnesses only needed to part with some money and the deal was considered done.

In the process Benjamin demanded and collected GH¢2,000 to influence his decision to award them the contract and referred them to Francis who also demanded and collected GH¢1,000 and promised to award them contracts.

The accused persons admitted taking the money but insisted it was a gift from the complainant.

Source: Jeffrey De-Graft Johnson/ thePublisher