By Prince Ahenkorah
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), has arrested Freeman Sarbah, the Acting Head of Legal Affairs at the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), in connection with alleged corruption, and abuse of office tied to the controversial Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) revenue assurance contract.
In a statement released on Monday, November 3, and shared across the OSP’s official social media handles, the anti-graft agency confirmed that Mr. Sarbah had been taken into custody and was assisting investigators.
The OSP said, it is probing him for suspected acts of corruption and corruption-related offences, as well as for obstructing the course of justice in the ongoing investigation into the GRA–SML contract.
The SML agreement, which was awarded to Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited, tasked the company with providing revenue assurance services for the government, particularly in the downstream petroleum sector and other revenue streams.
However, the contract has become one of the most hotly debated public procurement deals in recent years, drawing widespread criticism over allegations of inflated fees, questionable procurement procedures, and potential breaches of Ghana’s Public Financial Management and Procurement laws.
Analysts argue that the contract’s terms gave SML an undue financial advantage, while others have questioned its necessity and transparency, suggesting that existing government systems already performed similar revenue-monitoring functions.
The controversy deepened after investigations suggested that tens of millions of cedis may have been lost through questionable contract extensions and duplicated services.
The OSP, led by Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng, launched a full-scale investigation into the SML deal after receiving multiple petitions alleging conflicts of interest, overpricing, and irregular approvals involving key government officials.
According to reliable sources within the OSP, the arrest of Freeman Sarbah forms part of an ongoing effort to tighten the net around officials suspected of shielding corrupt activities linked to the deal.
Mr. Sarbah, as the GRA’s Acting Head of Legal, is believed to have played a pivotal advisory role in the contract’s drafting, approval, and subsequent amendments. His arrest marks a significant escalation in the OSP’s anti-corruption campaign.
The OSP had earlier disclosed that preparations are in the final stages to prosecute several high-profile individuals implicated in the SML contract before the end of November 2025.
Among those expected to be charged are former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, former GRA Commissioner-Generals Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah and Emmanuel Kofi Nti, as well as a number of former advisors and senior officials at customs and GRA.