The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has invited the Chief Executive Officer of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Julius Neequaye Kotey, for questioning following his revelation that he rejected a GH¢4 million bribe allegedly offered to halt the rollout of the Digitalised Vehicle Registration Plate (DP) policy.
Mr Kotey made the explosive claim during a recent media interview, stating that “certain powerful individuals” had sought to influence him to abandon the initiative, which was designed to combat vehicle-related fraud, enhance road safety, and modernise vehicle registration systems.
In a statement on Tuesday, the OSP confirmed it is taking steps to verify the allegation and to identify those implicated in the attempted bribery.
“The Office has invited Mr Julius Neequaye Kotey to provide further particulars regarding his public statement and to assist in identifying individuals involved in the alleged bribery attempt,” the statement said.
The anti-graft body noted that it views such revelations seriously, given the potential threat they pose to public accountability and institutional integrity.
In a separate but related investigation, the OSP has also opened a corruption probe into a sitting member of the Council of State over alleged involvement in gold trading-related offences.
According to sources close to the case, the council member is accused of leveraging his influence to secure a gold licence for a private company in which he reportedly has undisclosed business interests.
The investigation forms part of the OSP’s ongoing crackdown on high-level corruption and influence-peddling in public institutions.
The two cases signal the OSP’s renewed resolve to hold public officials accountable, particularly those at the intersection of power, policy, and private business interests.
The OSP has in recent months intensified its operations, targeting alleged corruption in public procurement, extractive industries, and administrative governance.
Analysts say the invitation of the DVLA boss could set an important precedent, encouraging other public officials to report attempted bribery and interference without fear of retribution.
Mr Kotey has yet to issue a formal statement beyond his earlier public remarks, but the OSP’s action underscores the seriousness with which the state views the alleged GH¢4 million bribery plot.
“No one is above the law, and no public office should be up for sale,” an OSP source told reporters. “These investigations go to the heart of public trust.”
