Four persons standing trial in a corruption case involving the Northern Development Authority (NDA) have been convicted by the Criminal Division of the High Court in Tamale.
The accused are former NDA Chief Executive Sumaila Abdul Rahman, former Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Operations Stephen Yir-Eru Engmen, former Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Finance and Administration Patrick Seidu, and Andrew Kuundaari, Chief Executive of A&QS Consortium Limited.
The four were facing eleven counts of corruption and corruption-related offences, including conspiracy to influence the procurement process to obtain an unfair advantage in the award of a procurement contract, directly or indirectly influencing the procurement process to obtain such an advantage, corruption by a public officer, and corruption of a public officer.
The conviction follows a trial in which the accused persons unsuccessfully challenged the prosecution’s case at the close of the prosecution’s evidence.
On April 26, 2024, the High Court dismissed their submission of no case to answer, holding that the Republic had established a prima facie case against them in respect of all the charges. The accused subsequently appealed the ruling to the Court of Appeal, but the appeal was dismissed.
The accused opened their defence in October 2024, with the defence concluding on November 7, 2025.
The case was subsequently adjourned several times as the court worked towards delivering judgment. After earlier dates were fixed for judgment, the court eventually indicated that judgment would be delivered in October 2026, following the legal vacation.
The conviction marks a significant development in the prosecution of alleged corruption involving public procurement and officials of a public authority.
Further details on the court’s findings, the specific counts on which each accused was convicted, and any sentences imposed are awaited.
