Akpaloo in GH¢3.17m Cocoa Board Cheque Fraud Storm

The Attorney-General, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has disclosed that the state is preparing criminal charges against Percival Kofi Akpaloo of the Liberal Party of Ghana over an alleged GH¢3.17 million cheque diversion and forgery scheme involving a Ghana Cocoa Board contract.

Dr. Ayine made the disclosure during the Government Accountability Series with the media, where he outlined findings from investigations triggered by a Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) filed by the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC).

According to the Attorney-General, Poma Universal Ghana Limited, wholly owned by Ekua Poma, was a legitimate contractor awarded a Federal Growth Contract by the Ghana Cocoa Board in December 2020, valued at GH¢29.5 million. While the project commenced and initial payments were properly made, subsequent transactions raised serious concerns.

Dr. Ayine revealed that Percival Kofi Akpaloo allegedly secretly incorporated a second company with a deceptively similar name, differing from the legitimate contractor only by the addition of the letter “H” in “Poma.” Between December 2022 and June 2024, Akpaloo is said to have collected eight Cocoa Board cheques issued in the name of the original Poma Universal Ghana Limited, amounting to GH¢3,169,432.22.

The cheques were allegedly deposited into the account of the second company at First Bank Ghana Limited, without the knowledge or consent of Ekua Poma. The diversion reportedly came to light in June 2024 when the Cocoa Board contacted the legitimate contractor regarding outstanding balances on the contract.

An internal investigation by First Bank Ghana Limited, Dr. Ayine noted, confirmed the misrepresentation, while also acknowledging a failure to detect discrepancies between the cheque payee names and the account details.

Those investigated in the matter include Percival Kofi Akpaloo, Poma Ghana Limited (with the altered name), and Delvin Apollo, his spouse.

Dr. Ayine stated that the suspects are expected to face charges including stealing, forgery, and money laundering, with prosecution set to begin upon the resumption of work after the Christmas holidays.

 

 

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