….Political pressure & state diplomacy sighted
Reports reaching The Herald indicate that the troubled founder of Springfield Exploration and Production Limited (SEP), Kevin Okyere, has returned to Ghana after months of detention in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in connection with a disputed US$94 million oil deal, amid allegations that he defrauded the suppliers.
According to information available to The Herald, the Mahama administration brokered a diplomatic arrangement that enabled Mr Okyere to enter Ghana, despite the unresolved legal and commercial issues surrounding his case in Dubai.
Flight details obtained by The Herald show that a Malta-registered aircraft, bearing registration number 9H-VIT, arrived in Ghana from Dubai World Central (Al Maktoum International Airport)at 7:30 pm local timeon Wednesday, 4 February 2026. The aircraft carried eight passengers, including Mr Okyere’s wife, and three crew members.
A video of them on board the private jet showed Mr Okyere dancing to loud music with some of his friends, while his wife appeared uninterested, playing with her phone.
However, significant questions remain over the nature and scope of the diplomatic arrangement that facilitated his return, including whether it involved negotiations with the complainant, Petraco Oil Company SA, the Switzerland-based firm to which Springfield reportedly owes US$94 million.
Dubai authorities had been holding Mr Okyere after he allegedly failed to honour a court summons relating to a shipment of petrol supplied by EDURC Company DMCC and discharged at Tema, Ghana. The cargo was valued at US$29.32 million.
After a period of custodial detention, he was released, but his passport was reportedly seized, restricting his ability to leave the UAE until this week.
There are also claims that Springfield’s oil assets, particularly the Afina well, could be transferred to either the state-owned Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) or the Italian energy firm ENIas part of efforts to address the company’s mounting financial liabilities.
The Ministry of Energy had announced plans to acquire the Afina oil well just days after Mr Okyere’s arrest in Dubai. The Minister of Energy and Green Transitions, John Jinapor, publicly defended the prospect of a state-led takeover of Springfield’s stake in the West Cape Three Points Block 2 (WCTP2)if the asset meets strict technical and commercial benchmarks. Any earlier attempt to assess the oil block saw a desperate attempt to mislead the state with a questionable data.
Sources also allege that the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, played a behind-the-scenes role, exerting sustained pressure on the Mahama government to intervene diplomatically on Mr Okyere’s behalf. It is further claimed that approximately US$5 million was mobilised to make partial payments to Petraco Oil Company SA.
Observers say these diplomatic arrangement may explain why Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO)and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service did not act on petitions submitted by officials of Petraco, despite Mr Okyere reportedly moving freely in and out of state institutions, including the Ministry of Energy, prior to his trip to Dubai, leading to his arrest and detention.
In recent days, bloggers and social media commentators in Ghana have claimed that the founder of Springfield paid US$30 million toward outstanding obligations in the UAE and was “expected back in Ghana this weekend”. The Herald has not independently verified these claims. However, sources familiar with the matter insist that the online narrative is misleading.
Contacts in Dubai told The Herald that the more active route has been quiet diplomatic engagement rather than a sudden cash settlement. According to these sources, some political leaders in Ghana have urged the state to explore channels that would secure a temporary release arrangement while a structured plan is developed to address Springfield’s liabilities.
The issue remains politically sensitive, following increased public scrutiny since late 2025 and EOCO’s actions to clarify aspects of public reporting on its investigations. Sources warn that any final outcome in the UAE will depend on the exact legal basis of the case and the conditions set by the relevant authorities.
Petraco Oil Company SA alleges that Mr Okyere, Springfield, and their Ghanaian partner, GMP Energy Limited, diverted proceeds from crude oil liftings under their joint venture, Petraco Energies DMCC, amounting to US$94 million. The company claims the funds were deliberately misappropriated, with executives allegedly asserting non-payment despite Ghana’s state-owned Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company (BOST) having made full settlement.
Petraco further alleges that a US$50 million loan extended to Springfield to fund a unitisation project with Eni Ghana was obtained under false pretences. ENI is reported to have assessed Springfield’s well and concluded that its commercial viability was doubtful, leading to its refusal to proceed with unitisation.
