CLOSAG Executive Secretary accused of fraudulent withdrawal

The Ag. National Treasurer and Ag. The 1st National Trustee of the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOSAG), Ernest Tagoe and Emmanuel Acquah, have petitioned the National Executive Council (NEC) of the association, over what they call fraudulent acts by some senior officers of the association.

The petitioners, in a letter cited by Elvisanokyenews.com dated 18th November, 2024, are accusing the Executive Secretary of CLOSAG, Isaac Bampoe, and the Ag. President of CLOSAG, Benjamin Otto, of financial misconduct perpetuated against the association.

In the petition, the Ag. National Treasurer and AG. 1st National Trustee of the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOSAG), accused Mr. Isaac Bampoe and Mr. Benjamin Otto dishonestly appropriated an amount of GHC 500,000.00 belonging to the Association which amounts to stealing.

The funds, according to the petitioners, were withdrawn from the association’s main account held with Access Bank, Castle Road Branch, Accra using cheque number CHQ 001517, a transaction they claim was carried out without the necessary authorization from them, despite being the mandatory signatories to the account.

Mr. Tagoe and Mr. Acquah, have demanded an immediate investigation into the matter, seeking clarity on how such a significant sum was withdrawn without the knowledge or approval of the mandated signatories. They are calling for swift action by the NEC to address the matter and restore transparency and trust within the association.

Below is the full petition.

POST OFFICE BOX M336

MINISTRIES ACCRA

18TH NOVEMBER, 2024

PETITION ON FRAUDULENT ACTS BY THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF CLOGSAG MR ISAAC BAMPOE ADDO AND THE AG. PRESIDENT OF CLOGSAG MR BENJAMIN OTTO

We then petition the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Civil and Local Government Staff Association Ghana (CLOGSAG) against certain acts by Mr Isaac Bampoe Addo, (Executive Secretary-CLOGSAG) and Mr Benjamin Otto (Ag. President-CLOGSAG) which we deem fraudulent, perpetuated against the Association.

STATEMENT OF CASE

1. We (petitioners) are the Ag. National Treasurer and Ag. 1st National Trustee respectively of the Association-CLOGSAG.
2. That the Constitution of the Association imposes on us certain functional duties inter alia fiduciary duties, ensuring prudent financial management of funds of the Association, ensuring value for money and protecting the funds of the members.
3. That as the Ag. National Treasurer and Ag. 1st National Trustee of the Association, the Constitution of the Association places on us the responsibilities of being mandatory signatories to the Main Account of the Association. Reference to Article 21.4 (c) of the constitution of the Association which provides that “The signatories and mandate to the main bank accounts of the Association shall be all the following:

          i. The President

          ii. The National Treasurer

          iii. The 1st National Trustee

          iv. The Executive Secretary

4. That on the 2nd of May 2024, we detected with proven evidence that a cheque number CHQ 001517 with an amount of Five Hundred Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHS500,000.00) was withdrawn by the above named officers on the 29th April, 2024 from the Association’s main account with Access Bank, Castle Road Branch, Accra.
5. That the said cheque and the amount therein was withdrawn without the authorization of us the petitioners who are mandatory signatories to the Account.
6. That we made an official complaint to the Bank in question and the above named officers about the illegal withdrawal of the said amount from our Bank Account. (Copy attached)
7. That our further enquiries revealed that the GHC 500,000.00 was withdrawn by the Executive Secretary Mr Bampoe Addo and the Ag. President Mr Benjamin Otto who authorized the withdrawal of the said amount.
8. That the Executive Secretary and the Ag. President forged a document to the Bank i.c. Access Bank (Castle Road Branch, Accra) that the National Executive Council of the Association (NEC) had met at a meeting and had resolved that the Mandate of the Main Account of the Association be changed from the mandatory four (4) signatories to sign to any two (2) signatories to sign. (Copy of the forged letter attached).
9. That to the utmost best of our knowledge there had not been any such meeting of NEC to resolve as the officers claimed.
10. That suffice to note that NEC has no power or whatsoever to change the mandate of the Main Account of the Association provided for by the constitution of the Association. 11. That the provision in the Constitution of the Association can only be varied through a constitutional amendment as provided for in the constitution.

GROUNDS OF PETITION

1. That the Executive Secretary, Mr. Isaac Bampoe Addo and the Ag. President, Mr. Benjamin Otto has dishonestly appropriated an amount of GHC 500,000.00 belonging to the Association which amounts to stealing.
2. That the Executive Secretary and the Ag. President agreed to act together with a common purpose to steal an amount of GHC 500,000.00 belonging to the Association
3. That the Executive Secretary and the Ag. President with the intent to steal an amount of GHC 500,000.00 belonging to the Association altered a document purported to have emanated from NEC to Access Bank who are the holders of the Main Account of the Association which amounts to forgery.
4. That the act by the Executive Secretary and the Ag. President amounts to gross misconduct that is criminal and brings the image of the Association into disrepute.
5. That NEC is clothed with the capacity to discipline any erring member of the Association. 6. That NEC would as a matter of urgency look into the matter as petitioned and sanction the officers involved appropriately.

We are of the hope that Members of NEC would see reason with our petition and act accordingly.

We attach herewith the necessary documents for your perusal and further action.

Counting on you in this regard.

Thank you.

1. ERNEST TAGOE…
2. NATIONAL TREASURER (CLOGSAG)
3. EMMANUEL ACQUAH……..
4. 1ST NATIONAL TRUSTEE (CLOGSAG)

TO ALL NEC MEMBERS

CLOGSAG

Cc:

ALL REGIONAL SECRETARIATS CLOGSAG

THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

CLOGSAG

ACCRA

THE AG. PRESIDENT

CLOGSAG

ACCRA

Source: Elvisanokyenews.com