The former Public Procurement Authority (PPA) boss who was dismissed by the President for selling government contracts has dragged the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to court.

James Adjenim Boateng is suing the commission over claims that CHRAJ acted in breach of natural justice and failed to give him a fair hearing during its investigations into the 'Contract for Sales' saga.

According to him, CHRAJ never gave him the chance to cross-examine witnesses presented in the case.

“By denying me the opportunity to access, respond and cross-examine statements, witnesses and evidence that the respondents relied on to arrive at their decision, CHRAJ acted in breach of natural justice and failed to give me a fair hearing," he said in the law suit.

Adjenim Boateng and the Contract for Sale saga

Mr Adjenim Boateng was on Friday, October 30 dismissed by President Akufo-Addo after CHRAJ ruled that he was unfit to hold Public Office.

The former PPA Boss was busted in a documentary by investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni for the alleged sale of government contracts.

Following the allegations in the "Contracts for Sale" documentary, the President suspended James Adjenim Boateng from office and further referred the case to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ for investigations to be conducted.

The documentary revealed that a company Mr. Adjenim Boateng co-owned, had sold government contracts it won through single-source and restrictive tendering to the highest bidder.

CHRAJ in its final report established that, “on the totality of the evidence, Mr. Adjenim Boateng Adjei had put himself in a position where his personal interests conflicted with the performance of his functions as CEO and Board Member of the PPA.”

It also stated that he abused his high office of trust.

Events after his dismissal

His dismissal came with a 5-year ban from holding any public office.

CHRAJ further stated that Mr Adjenim has been unable to explain the source of large volumes of wealth moving through his various bank accounts.

The Commission analyzed data provided by the Financial Intelligence Centre which puts the total transactions during the period within which Mr Adjei assumed office at GHS 14.8 million. This is the total figure from 4 Dollar and Euro accounts held at two banks.

James Adjenim Boateng who was displeased about the general outcome of the CHRAJ report initially took to various media outlets to express displeasure over the case.

He has further filed a suit at an Accra High Court to challenge CHRAJ's decision, asking the court to revoke the President's directive.

According to him, CHRAJ made “several site trips to several locations to gather evidence which it relied on to arrive at their decision.”

He added that, he was never invited to be present at any of these site trips, nor was he allowed to respond or cross-examine the evidence gathered at these site trips.

“If given the chance to access, respond and cross-examine the various documents, witnesses and evidence relied on by CHRAJ in their report, I would,” he said.