The bank and mobile money accounts of the Executive Director of the Centre for Plant Medicine Research, Alex Asase, along with six senior officers, have reportedly been frozen as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged financial irregularities.

The development follows a petition submitted by some staff of the institution, raising concerns about the handling of the Centre’s Internally Generated Funds (IGF).

The petition alleges that portions of the funds were paid out as allowances and other benefits to certain officials, prompting questions about the legality and appropriateness of the payments.

State investigative bodies, including the Economic and Organised Crime(EOCO) and Financial Intelligence Centre(FIC) are said to have initiated inquiries to establish the facts surrounding the allegations upon directives from the Office of the President.

As part of the process, the accounts of the individuals involved have reportedly been frozen to prevent any movement or possible concealment of funds.

Sources indicate that such measures are standard procedure in financial investigations to preserve potential evidence while the probe continues.

Prior to the investigation, the Board Chairman of the Centre, Henry Rockefeller, had defended the payments, maintaining that they were legitimate and duly approved by the board.

However, the staff petition appears to have intensified scrutiny over the institution’s financial management, leading to the current investigation.

Officials say the inquiry is ongoing, with further action expected to depend on the outcome of the investigations.

The situation is likely to have implications for the operations of the Centre, as authorities work to determine whether any wrongdoing occurred in the management of its internally generated funds.

More details soon