The Deputy Attorney General has confirmed that Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO, is under investigation by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) in connection with projects undertaken during his time in government.
Dr Opoku Prempeh, a former Minister of Education and Energy, and the 2024 Vice Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), is being scrutinised over decisions and contracts executed across two ministries during the eight-year tenure of the Akufo-Addo administration.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on Wednesday night, Dr Justice Srem Sai explained that while NAPO is currently assisting with investigations, this does not amount to a presumption of guilt.
“He said he’s been going to NIB for a while now. Nobody knew until he said it publicly,” Dr Srem Sai disclosed.
The Deputy Attorney General clarified that the investigation spans “a number of things”, including both the Education and Energy ministries, where Dr Opoku Prempeh held cabinet positions. “He was a minister for Energy and Education…so definitely, we have projects that were undertaken during his time. And so he would definitely be answering questions in respect of that,” he stated.
Among the matters reportedly under review is the controversial procurement of mathematical sets during Dr Opoku Prempeh’s tenure at the Education Ministry.
However, Dr Srem Sai was quick to caution against drawing conclusions prematurely. “You will not be prosecuted unless there is evidence that you were complicit in some of the things you undertook,” he emphasised. “The fact that you’re a minister at the time doesn’t mean that you will be criminally liable for anything.”
He cited the Sky Train debacle as an example where high-profile names were investigated without necessarily being charged. “Former AG and later Railway Minister Joe Ghartey at one point was invited. But he explained his side of the story. When you look at the charge sheet for Sky Train, he’s not on it,” Dr Srem Sai said.
He urged the public to distinguish between ministerial oversight and personal involvement in wrongdoing. “There are things that can happen in the ministry which may not be your doing,” he noted.
Dr Srem Sai also commended the professional conduct of many public officials currently under investigation, describing them as cooperative and discreet.
“I appreciate the demeanour of a lot of the government appointees,” he said. “Once in a while, you hear that someone has been picked up, or someone has been invited…but I can tell you, a large number of the persons who have been arrested, now on bail, who are under investigation, are quiet.”
According to him, these individuals understand and respect the legal process. “They will not make any noise about it. Some of them believe that the process must be followed.”
He did acknowledge that a few others have taken to the media to mount public defences, saying, “Though a few people come in the media and cause massing up to go to EOCO, most do what the law requires without drama.”
“You go to court when the evidence shows that there’s a crime,” he concluded
