Four high-ranking public officials have been charged with corruption in connection with the alleged theft of ten containers of imported rice at the Tema Port.

Issah Seidu, a staff member of the National Insurance Commission, James Keck Osei, a former Director at the Vice President's Secretariat, John Abban, and Peter Archibold Hyde, two senior Customs officials, are accused of conspiring to hijack the rice shipment, which was imported from Thailand in 2022.

According to investigations, Seidu allegedly used fake documents and a forged letter purportedly from the Office of the Vice President to fraudulently claim the rice containers. The group then attempted to auction the containers to Seidu, despite the fact that the rice had been legally imported and all necessary duties had been paid.

The scheme unraveled after internal investigations and a High Court ruling exposed the plot. The court's decision has led to the four officials being formally charged with corruption. They are scheduled to appear in court on Friday, June 27, 2025