The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has reaffirmed his earlier claims of alleged financial irregularities and overpayment involving J.A. Plant Pool (JAPP) Limited in the District Roads Improvement Programme (DRIP) contract, despite the company’s firm denial.
His latest comments come in response to a statement released by J.A. Plant Pool dismissing allegations of US$2 million overpayment, tax evasion, and over-invoicing, which the Attorney-General had earlier cited as breaches in the execution of the DRIP contract.
According to JAPP, the supposed overpayment arose from a clerical error in official records. The company clarified that the actual contract value was US$178,704,739.50, not US$176 million as publicly stated by Dr. Ayine.
In its statement, the company described the Attorney-General’s remarks as “unfortunate” and potentially damaging to its reputation, arguing that his narrative presented an incomplete picture of the facts.
J.A. Plant Pool also denied accusations of tax evasion, asserting that all imports under the contract were properly declared to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and managed through bonded warehouses.
On the issue of over-invoicing, the firm maintained that its contract prices were competitively negotiated, delivering value for money in line with government procurement procedures.
However, in an interview on Friday, October 24, Dr. Ayine firmly stood by his position, stressing that his office had conducted investigations and gathered evidence to support the claims.
“We have investigated and we have the evidence. If they [J.A. Plant Pool] are making that claim, we’ll come out with the truth,” the Attorney-General stated.
He further emphasized that his ministry would pursue the matter through legal means if necessary.
“What I said, I stand by, and if they want to challenge it, they can do so. If they are not conforming to the demand that I have made, I have the courts to help me to do so,” Dr. Ayine added.
