Court Drops Charges Against Collins Dauda and Others in Saglemi Housing Case
, Ghana – A High Court in Accra has discharged Alhaji Collins Dauda, a former Minister of Works and Housing, and three other individuals who were facing 70 counts of causing financial loss to the state in the $200 million Saglemi Affordable Housing Project scandal.
The decision, which was confirmed by broadcaster Serwaa Amihere on Tuesday, February 24, 2025, followed an official communication from state prosecutors informing the court that the Attorney General had dropped all charges against the accused persons.
The case, which began in 2023, involved key figures linked to the Saglemi Housing Project. The accused persons included:
1. Alhaji Collins Dauda – Former Minister of Works and Housing
2. Dr. Kwaku Agyemang-Mensah – Former Minister of Water Resources, Works, and Housing
3. Alhaji Ziblim Yakubu – Chief Director at the Ministry for Water Resources, Works, and Housing
4. Andrew Clocanas – Executive Chairman of Construtora OAS Ghana Limited (now deceased)
5. Nouvi Tetteh Angelo – CEO of Ridge Management Solutions Ghana Limited
The prosecution alleged that these individuals misapplied public funds and caused financial loss to the state during the execution of the Saglemi Affordable Housing Project.
At a press briefing on February 12, 2025, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, explained the rationale behind his decision to withdraw the case.
He argued that part of the $200 million had been used to construct houses at Saglemi, making the charges of misapplying public property legally flawed.
“The value of that built environment is a key determinant of how much of the total sum was allegedly misapplied by Honorable Collins Dauda. Discounting the value of the built environment renders those charges defective,” Dr. Ayine stated.
He also highlighted that payments made after Collins Dauda left office—such as a $5 million payment authorized by Atta Akyea, a former Minister of Works and Housing, in 2017—were not considered in the original charges.
“Atta Akyea was never charged, even though he approved a $5 million payment. It is only fair that the accused know precisely what crime they are charged with and the evidence against them,” he added.
The Saglemi Affordable Housing Project was initiated to provide 5,000 housing units to address Ghana’s housing deficit. However, only 1,500 units were reportedly completed, raising concerns about mismanagement and misappropriation of public funds.
The project became the subject of legal scrutiny under the former Akufo-Addo administration, leading to criminal charges against Collins Dauda and others.
The discharge of the accused has sparked mixed reactions from the public and political circles. Supporters of Collins Dauda view the decision as vindication, while critics argue that accountability is necessary for public officials handling large-scale projects.
The Ministry of Works and Housing is yet to comment on the next steps regarding the Saglemi Housing Project and whether any new investigations will be conducted.
For now, Alhaji Collins Dauda and his co-accused have been cleared of all legal charges, bringing an end to one of the most controversial cases in Ghana’s housing sector.