SML Sues OSP for Equipment Return and $48.8M Compensation

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SML Sues OSP for Equipment Return and $48.8M Compensation

Legal Battle Over Seized Assets

Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) has initiated legal proceedings against the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), demanding the return of several company assets that were allegedly seized by the anti-corruption body. The company is also seeking compensation exceeding US$28.8 million and GH¢20 million in damages.

The lawsuit was filed at the High Court in Accra, with the OSP named as the sole defendant. A writ issued under the authority of the Chief Justice of Ghana on November 10, 2025, requires the OSP to appear within eight days of service or face a judgment being entered against it in default.

Allegations of Unlawful Detention

SML claims that the OSP unlawfully detained its operational equipment, including servers, storage devices, mineral analysis tools, and computer systems. The company emphasizes that these assets are essential for its work and form part of its proprietary digital infrastructure used for state revenue monitoring.

In the statement of claim, SML requests the court to declare that “the detention of the Plaintiff’s servers, SAN storage, SML Nova Mineral Analyzer, SML Nova Mineral Scale, CCTV systems, computers, laptops, external hard drives, mobile phones, and printers by the Defendant is unlawful.”

The company is also asking for an order compelling the OSP to return all the seized items immediately. Additionally, it is demanding special damages of US$28,850,125.50, which includes the cost of servers, SAN storage, installation and reprogramming, communication layers of 25 depots, transaction audit suite, petroleum upstream Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, and the solid minerals suite linked to the central server.

Financial and Operational Impact

SML further seeks general damages of GH¢20,000,000, arguing that the seizure has severely disrupted its operations. The company asserts that its systems, designed to support the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in real-time monitoring of petroleum and mineral transactions, have been crippled since the OSP’s actions.

A portion of the writ states: “The Defendant’s conduct in detaining the Plaintiff’s equipment without lawful authority has occasioned immense financial loss, operational paralysis, and reputational damage to the Plaintiff.”

Contract Dispute and Recent Developments

This case arises amid increased scrutiny of SML's contract with the GRA for downstream petroleum audit and monitoring services. The OSP recently presented the conclusion of its investigations into SML’s contract with the GRA, with the anti-graft agency seeking to recover at least GH¢125 million from SML.

On June 10, 2025, operatives from the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), supported by personnel from the National Security Secretariat, conducted a coordinated raid at the Osu and Tema offices of SML. The OSP has not yet filed a defense or made any public comments regarding the suit.

Background on the Office of the Special Prosecutor

Established under Act 959, the OSP is authorized to investigate and prosecute corruption-related offenses involving public officers, politically exposed persons, and private entities. SML maintains that it has fully cooperated with every lawful process, and the continued detention of its equipment without a valid court order is a violation of the rule of law and must be addressed.

Ongoing Legal Proceedings

As the legal battle unfolds, the outcome of this case could have significant implications for both SML and the OSP. The resolution of this dispute may set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future, particularly concerning the seizure of corporate assets during investigations.

With the court proceeding, all parties involved are expected to present their arguments and evidence. The final judgment will determine whether the OSP’s actions were justified and whether SML is entitled to the compensation it is seeking. The case remains a focal point for discussions around corporate rights, legal procedures, and the balance between anti-corruption efforts and business operations.


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