The High Court in Accra has officially discharged former Ministers of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Alhaji Collins Dauda and Kwaku Agyeman-Mensah, along with two others, in the protracted $200 million Saglemi Affordable Housing case.
The two former ministers, together with Alhaji Ziblim Yakubu, former Chief Director at the Ministry, and Nouvi Tetteh Angelo, CEO of Ridge Management Solutions Ghana Limited, were standing trial for allegedly causing financial loss to the state.
They had all pleaded not guilty to 70 counts.
The fourth accused, Albert Clocanas, Executive Chairman of Construtora OAS Ghana Limited, passed away during the course of the trial.
The case took a significant turn on February 7, 2025, when the Attorney General (AG) filed a Nolle Prosequi to discontinue charges against the accused after reviewing the case docket.
However, it wasn’t until February 25, 2025, that State Prosecutors, led by Principal State Attorney Hilda Craig, officially informed the court of the AG’s decision.
“We are here to inform the court of our entry of Nolle Prosequi in this case filed on February 7, 2025. It means that case has come to an end at this point and the accused persons can be discharged,” Ms Craig told the presiding judge, Justice Ernest Owusu-Dapaa.
The defence raised no objections, instead expressing gratitude to the Attorney General’s office and the court for bringing the trial to a close.
Collins Dauda Reacts to Discharge
Alhaji Collins Dauda, dressed in a symbolic white kaftan to signify victory, expressed his gratitude upon exiting the courtroom. “I’m grateful to Allah,” he said, acknowledging his relief at the outcome.
The scene was captured by GhOne TV and shared on their X page, showing Dauda leaving the courthouse moments after the official discharge.
Background of the Case
The Saglemi Affordable Housing Project, initiated to provide low-cost housing, became a centre of controversy after allegations emerged regarding mismanagement and misapplication of funds. The prosecution argued that the $200 million allocated for the project had been misused, leading to financial loss to the state.
The trial, which began with testimony from retired Bank of Ghana staff attorney Madam Lucy Tetteh Akuetteh, saw delays, including a request from the prosecution on February 4, 2025, for an adjournment to “put their house in order.”
The AG’s eventual decision to discontinue the trial was based on a comprehensive review of the case docket.
With the court’s acceptance of the Nolle Prosequi, Collins Dauda, Kwaku Agyeman-Mensah, Ziblim Yakubu, and Nouvi Tetteh Angelo have been officially cleared of all charges, ending the high-profile legal battle surrounding the Saglemi Housing Project.
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