TONY AIDOO CITED FOR FRAUD—– Pays GH¢6,200 for GH¢60,000 Ford Expedition
Report By Daniel Nonor
Head of Policy Evaluation and Oversight Unit of the Office of the President,Dr Tony Aidoo has been cited in a conflict of interest situation, and accused of looting state property by virtue of his position at the Presidency.
The vociferous senior Presidential Aide stands accused of purchasing a 2005 model luxurious 4×4 Ford Expedition of Presidential specs, with a street value of GH¢60,000 at a ridiculous price of GH¢ 6,200
The New Patriotic Party, which made this revelation at a press conference yesterday, described DrAidoo’s Action as hypocritical, to say the least, especially when he (DrAidoo) has mounted the moral high grounds on issues of corruption in the country.
In a letter date 1st June,2012, on the Republic of Ghana letter-head and addressed to the Director,Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, Dr Tony Aidoo requested the DVLA for a change of the operational number of the vehicle into a regular number.
The NPP also provided evidence to the effect thatDr Tony Aidoo on June 29, 2011, paid an amount of GH¢ 6,200 to SHATGAW VENTURES, the licensed Auctioneer, representing the full payment for the vehicle, bought on auction from the office of the President.
Following the payment, Dr Tony Aidoo on September 30, 2011, wrote to the Commissioner, Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority to facilitate change of ownership and re-registration of the vehicle.
“The processes have been duly completed and thus making Dr.Aidoo the self acclaimed apostle of integrity the owner”.
The vehicle in question is said to have an impeccable servicing history and part of President Kufour’s fleet while in office.
This, the NPP considers as one of many other incidents of naked thievery and corruption, and looting of state properties which has tainted NDC administration.
“How can you buy a ford expedition of Presidential specs for GH¢6, 200.This is evil! This is really criminal. This is very unethical! This is naked robbery ! This is robbery!! This is Machiavelian!!!” Sammy Awuku, Deputy Communications Director of NPP noted at the press conference.
The NPP also finds Dr. Aidoo’s actions intriguing, especially when he was most vociferous in 2009, when appointees of the then NPP administration were said to have purchased their official saloon cars, which were more than two years old.
“Although the purchase was legitimate within the confines of age-old regulations, Tony Aidoo was loudest in branding appointees of the NPP as nation-wreckers. Again, whiles the age-old policy prohibits purchasing 4X4 vehicles,Dr Tony Aidoo, as a serving public officer has purchased and re-registered in his name the 4×4 vehicle,” the NPP noted.
According to the NPP, “the action of Dr. Tony Aidoo constitutes thievery of the highest order and must, therefore, be reprimanded,” but doubted if this could ever be effected as the group “cannot vouch for the integrity of the very person who ought to reprimand Dr. Tony Aidoo and his likes”.
Dubious judgment debts and other incidents of looting of state property and inflated contract sums weigh on the necks of the umbrella family, as it goes into the 2012 elections.
Meanwhile Dr. Tony Aidoo has reportedly told an Asempa FM in Accra that “I saw an advertisement in the Ghanaian Times and I decided to follow it up. What I did was not corruption… so it is very clear that these people are peddling falsehood just to tarnish my image, I will go to court.”
“it is only the court that will be able to clear me on this issue.I have lots of documents and I will bring them out for Ghanaians and the court to decide on the matter,” he humbly submitted.
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