The sacked chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) Charlotte Osei is supposedly denying returning her official vehicle to the commission, a source said.
Mrs. Osei earlier removed from office by President Akufo-Addo in June. Her removal follows a recommendation of a five-member committee established by the Chief Justice. But, she is keeping the customized Toyota Land Cruiser V8 car which officially assigned to her.
The former EC boss has insisted that it was a personal donation from the previous Mahama-led NDC administration. Thus, for that reason, she is allowed to use it.
The investigation also indicated that the sacked EC chairperson has returned a custom-made Audi car. She did so after getting snippets that new commissioners could force her to return the commission’s property in her keeping.
The luxurious Audi car moved to the commission’s premises last Thursday. The expensive V8 registered as part of the pool of national security with two different number plates. It happened during the tenure of Mr. Mahama so it could be a state property.
It was also one of the accusations in the petition which submitted to Chief Justice for her elimination from office. According to EC sources, the demand made after the EC had spent money to maintain it.
Background
The 17 EC staff petitioned the President for her removal from office under Article 46 of the 1992 Constitution. They also accused her of compromising her independence as a commissioner by receiving the V8.
They further claimed that following her appointment as EC chair, Ms Osei “compromised the independence and neutrality of the Commission by arranging for 2015 V8 Land Cruiser with registration WR 2291-15 from the Office of the President for use as official vehicle without going through the procurement process or recourse to the commission”.
