Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, has frozen the assets of the late Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Forestry Commission, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie.

According to Citinews, processes are underway to also freeze his assets overseas.

Reports reaching The Independent Ghana reveal that a press statement from the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), announcing the recent development, will be released soon.

This comes after the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) commenced investigations into the Will of the late Owusu Afriyie, also known as Sir John.

In the said Will shared by the Fourth Estate, some portions of the Achimota Forest, known to be a state property, but allegedly owned by Sir John, were to be inherited by some relatives.

Also, the list indicated other 75 properties that were owned by the former general secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

This included a 6-bedroom house located at Patangbe, five plots of land located at Millenium city, Kasoa, a Mercedes Benz E68 Sport AMG and over GH2million investment.

The OSP commenced investigations shortly after the Fourth Estate reported that the late Forestry Commission CEO did not declare his assets as mandated by law while alive.

According to Act 550 of the Public Office Holders (Declaration of Assets and Disqualification) ACT 1998, all public office holders must submit a written declaration to the Auditor-General of all properties or assets possessed by them, as well as all liabilities payable to them directly or indirectly.

Per the law, the declaration of assets shall be made by the public officer “before taking office, at the end of every four years, and at the end of the term of his office and shall in any event be submitted not later than 6 months of the occurrence of any of the events specified in this subsection.”

On the other hand, the Lands Commission has rejected reports that portions of the Achimota Forest were owned by Sir John.

According to the Commission, there are no records establishing such claim.

Source: The Independent Ghana