We are closely following the case of Michael Sumnaya Adedina, an accountant who has been accused of serious financial offenses. Adedina stands accused of forging Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) receipts in an attempt to evade a substantial amount of tax totaling GHC2,495,778. This case has been the subject of recent proceedings in an Accra Circuit Court.
During the most recent court session, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Evans Kesse informed the court that the prosecution had filed its disclosures and that these had been duly served on the accused individual. As a result, the court, presided over by Mrs. Afia Owusua Appiah, has adjourned the matter to March 19, 2024, for the Case Management Conference.
The charges against Adedina include unauthorized attempts to collect tax, forgery of official documents, fraudulent breach of trust, and making false or misleading statements, all of which are contrary to Section 74 of the Revenue Administration Act 2016 (Act 915). Adedina has denied these charges and is currently out on GHC2 million cedi bail.
The prosecution's case alleges that Adedina, posing as a professional accountant, offered his services to BMG Infrastructure Company Limited and was entrusted with handling the company's accounting matters, including statutory payments and tax preparation. It is claimed that Adedina collected funds from the company under the guise of paying various taxes to the GRA and SSNIT for its employees. However, upon investigation, it was discovered that Adedina had failed to remit the full amount collected to the GRA, and further scrutiny revealed that he had falsified official GRA receipts.
Adedina's admission during his caution statement allegedly revealed that he had manipulated GRA payment receipts to falsely indicate tax payments, and had misappropriated the funds for personal gain, including the purchase of assets such as vehicles and property.
This case underscores the importance of upholding financial integrity and transparency in all business dealings. The alleged actions of Adedina, if proven true, represent a serious breach of trust and financial misconduct. We will continue to monitor this case as it unfolds and provide updates on any further developments.
It is imperative for businesses to exercise due diligence and implement robust internal controls to prevent and detect fraudulent activities. Additionally, individuals entrusted with financial responsibilities must uphold ethical standards and comply with all relevant laws and regulations.
As the legal proceedings progress, we hope that justice will be served and that this case will serve as a reminder of the importance of ethical conduct in financial matters.
-source GNA | curated by Koranteng Bella | Ghana Crimes
