The late Victor Selorney was a former Deputy Minister of Finance
The name Victor Selormey has resurfaced amidst discussions around the declaration of former Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, as a wanted fugitive by the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
Born Victor Lawrence Kwashie Selormey, the economist who served as Deputy Minister of Finance under Jerry John Rawlings’s government, was convicted by a court on charges related to financial impropriety.
He was sentenced to 8 years imprisonment in 2001 for defrauding by false pretenses and causing financial loss to the state.
To some advocates of accountability, the case of Victor Selormey underscores the duty of public officers to manage public resources judiciously.
For others, including his family, his case represents pure political persecution, which ultimately cost him his life.
In a recent Facebook post, a relative of the late former Deputy Minister of Finance, Francis Yao Selormey, recounted how his relative willingly returned to Ghana to defend himself while under investigation for corruption while receiving medical treatment abroad.
According to Francis, upon arriving in Ghana, his relative was arrested at Kotoka International Airport in a manner reminiscent of an American movie.
“When the late Victor Selormey was accused of corruption while seeking medical attention abroad, he willingly returned to defend himself. He was arrested at the airport in a ‘Rambo’ style, detained, and eventually jailed, all for political vindictiveness,” he wrote.
As widely reported, Francis Selormey affirmed that his relative, who was battling cardiac issues and had a pacemaker, was incarcerated at Nsawam Prison and was only taken to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital for medical treatment when his condition deteriorated, despite his family’s continuous pleas for him to receive treatment abroad.
“This was a man who had a pacemaker and was suffering from cardiac issues. He was held in Nsawam with an oxygen tank. His family pleaded for him to receive medical attention abroad. It was only when his condition worsened that he was rushed to Korle Bu, where he later died. The family, including myself, endured a lot of stigmatization during this period,” Francis added.
The prosecution of the late former deputy minister centered around the sale of 60% of GNPC’s 40% shareholding in LEEBDA Corporation to an American company, Amromco Energy LLC, for $20 million in 1998.
The core of the allegations was that LEEBDA Corporation did not exist at the time of the supposed sale, and thus, no shares could legally be sold.
The prosecution argued that Selormey and others conspired to defraud the state by selling shares of a non-existent company, claiming that no such company was registered in Delaware, USA, where LEEBDA was supposedly incorporated.
The defense contended that LEEBDA did exist but had been dissolved before the transaction was completed. They argued that Selormey was unaware of LEEBDA’s dissolution at the time of the deal. Furthermore, they claimed that crucial evidence was withheld by the prosecution, which would have shown that LEEBDA indeed existed at one point.
The trial and conviction of Victor Selormey remain controversial due to claims that the prosecution withheld evidence like documents from Delaware confirming LEEBDA’s existence, potentially exonerating Selormey or at least providing a different perspective on his actions.
Francis Yao Selormey’s post comes after the OSP declared former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, a wanted fugitive in connection with four high-profile corruption investigations.
Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, February 12, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng stated that Ofori-Atta, who is reported to be receiving medical treatment in America, must return to Ghana immediately to face questioning, warning that failure to comply would lead to steps to compel his return.
The Minority Leader of Parliament, Afenyo-Markin, commented that Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta, willing to return at an appropriate time, has been left traumatized by the OSP’s declaration.
However, according to Francis Selormey, Mr. Ofori-Atta could return and defend himself while receiving medical attention in Ghana.
“Today, Ken Ofori-Atta is said to be traumatized and seeking medical attention so can’t avail himself. Well, thankfully UGMC and Agenda 111 can manage his health while he proves himself innocent,” he added.
GA/KE
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