Attorney-general to charge LPG’s Percival Akpalu and others over alleged COCOBOD contract forgery

The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has announced that Percival Kofi Akpalu of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) and other suspects will be charged with alleged forgery and related offences following investigations into suspected financial impropriety involving a COCOBOD feeder roads contract.

Addressing the media, Dr. Ayine said the case came to light after the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) detected suspicious transactions on an account belonging to Pomaa Universal Ghana Limited, a company owned by Mr. Akpalu. The FIC subsequently filed a suspicious transaction report with First Bank Ghana Limited, prompting further action.

He explained that the report triggered an investigation by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).

According to the Attorney-General, investigations established that the legitimate contractor awarded the COCOBOD feeder roads contract was Pomaa Universal Ghana Limited, a company wholly owned by a woman identified as Akua Pomaa.

The GH¢29 million contract was awarded in December 2022, and although the project began with payments properly made to the rightful company, later transactions raised red flags, including alleged misrepresentation, forgery, and the unauthorised handling of cheques.

Dr. Ayine disclosed that Mr. Akpalu allegedly incorporated another company with a nearly identical name—Pomaa Universal Ghana Limited—but added an extra “H” to create a slight distinction from the original entity.

He said that between December 2022 and June 2024, Mr. Akpalu allegedly collected eight cheques issued by COCOBOD in the name of the authentic Pomaa Universal Ghana Limited, amounting to GH¢3.1 million, and deposited them into the account of the newly created company.

Further investigations revealed that Akua Pomaa was unaware of the existence of the second company or the diversion of funds until COCOBOD contacted her in June 2024 regarding outstanding balances on the contract.

Dr. Ayine stated that the suspects identified in the investigation are Percival Kofi Akpalu, Pomaah Universal (Gh.) Ltd, and Delvine Akpalu, the spouse of Percival Kofi Akpalu. He added that evidence gathered shows they allegedly committed offences including stealing, forgery, and money laundering, and will be formally charged by his office in January.