The Ranking Member of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, Samuel Atta-Mills, has referred a controversial procurement case at the Ministry of Defence to the Attorney-General for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The decision follows concerns raised during a committee sitting over an attempted purchase of six vehicles intended for monitoring the 2024 General Elections, which has been flagged in the Auditor-General’s report.

According to the report, store receipt vouchers valued at ¢4.8 million were disallowed after it was established that the vehicles cited in the transaction had not been delivered.

Appearing before the committee, the former Director of Procurement at the Ministry of Defence, Frank Oliver Kpodo, maintained that the vehicles were initially supplied but were later removed from the ministry’s premises over concerns that payment might not be made. He added that he subsequently recommended an extension of the contract.

However, members of the committee questioned the explanation, citing inconsistencies between the claims made and the findings contained in the Auditor-General’s report.

Addressing the matter, Atta-Mills stressed the need for a thorough legal review to establish the facts and determine whether any financial or criminal infractions had occurred.

He indicated that the referral to the Attorney-General is intended to ensure due process and accountability, particularly in the handling of public funds.

The case adds to a series of procurement-related issues currently under scrutiny by the Public Accounts Committee, as it continues its examination of the Auditor-General’s findings on government expenditures and outstanding commitments.