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Managing Editor of the Al Hajj Newspaper, Alhaji Bature Iddrisu has called for the immediate arrest of former Energy Minister Joe Oteng-Adjei for having in his possession luxury vehicles meant for a rural electricity extension project even after he was moved out of the Ministry.

According to Alhaji Bature, the former Minister’s decision to keep state-owned cars even years after he left office as the sector minister is tantamount to a criminal act, and he must be arrested immediately.

Dr Joe Oteng-Adjei, has admitted that until two days ago, he still had in his possession a high end Lexus vehicle acquired as part of logistics needed to monitor the progress of work on a rural electrification project, in his possession, months after he left office, although he was quick to clarify that he “did not steal it” and has since returned it to the Energy Ministry.

The minority spokesperson on Energy, K.T Hammond had earlier said “My understanding is that for all his worries, he [Dr Oteng Adjei] decided to keep one of the Lexus cars to himself.  As we talk Oteng Adjei is using one of them.”

Hon K. T. Hammond, who is also a former deputy Minister for Energy, insists Dr Oteng Adjei is holding onto another state-owned vehicle, this time acquired under a GRIDCO project.

Reacting to these developments on Adom FM on Wednesday February 25, 2015, Alhaji Bature challenged the Attorney General to discharge the duties mandated in the Constitution for the arrest and prosecution of persons deemed to have committed crimes.

In the meantime, he is calling on the security agencies to swiftly apprehend and hand over Dr Oteng Adjei to the AG for prosecution. “This country is not working when it comes to government officials embezzling state funds. What kind of greediness is this. I am very sad about this situation and so I think he should be arrested.

“I am calling for his arrest because I know his conduct is equal to criminal conduct. My worry is that while the president is busily working to get the economy in shape, other appointees from his side are rather wasting state funds.

“(President) Mahama should make sure that he is arrested to serve as a deterrent to others.”