Council of State Aspirant Implicated in $7 Million Gold Fraud – Advocacy Group Demands Action

A group known as “Volta for Integrity” has raised concerns over a criminal case involving Gabriel Adovoe Kwablah Kwamigah, an aspirant for the Volta Regional seat on Ghana’s Council of State.

The group warns that allowing individuals with alleged criminal records to hold high offices could tarnish the reputation of both the government and the country on the global stage.

Kwamigah, a director and shareholder of Sesi-Edem Company Limited, is currently facing trial at an Accra High Court over an alleged $7.05 million gold scam.

According to court records, Kwamigah met Azerbaijani businessman Orkhan Oglu Sadikhov in Dubai in November 2023 and agreed to supply him with 180 kilograms of gold at $52,000 per kilogram. The businessman reportedly made an initial down payment of $1 million, after which Kwamigah delivered only 10kg of gold. Under pressure, he later exported another 50kg, bringing the total to 60kg – significantly short of the agreed 180kg.

Despite having paid a total of $9.05 million, Mr. Oglu did not receive the remaining 120kg of gold. Instead, Kwamigah allegedly demanded full payment before delivering the rest of the consignment.

A month later, Kwamigah allegedly handed Mr. Oglu gold suspected to be fake. When the businessman suggested assaying the mineral, Kwamigah reportedly claimed that the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC) was closed. However, upon testing the next day, Mr. Oglu confirmed the gold was counterfeit. When he confronted Kwamigah, he allegedly faced threats from supposed “macho men” and military personnel, forcing him to flee Ghana after lodging a formal complaint.

Following investigations, Kwamigah and others were arraigned before court and charged with conspiracy to defraud and defrauding by false pretenses.

Concerned Voltarians have also linked Kwamigah to other criminal cases, including alleged connections to the infamous NAM1 Menzgold scandal. The group is urging authorities to thoroughly vet candidates seeking high offices to prevent Ghana from facing international embarrassment.

The Council of State, which advises the President, is regarded as a noble institution. Volta for Integrity insists that individuals with questionable backgrounds should not be permitted to occupy such positions.

As the Volta Regional Council of State race heats up, the public is watching closely to see if authorities will take action against Kwamigah’s candidacy in light of the ongoing legal battle.

Source: Nationaltymes.com