State Minister Joseph Harmon confirmed the arrest and said the investigation was not sanctioned by the government. “Mr. Shariff called me this morning and told me that he was contacted by SOCU and they were investigating him for money laundering and tax evasion,” Harmon told News Source.

Harmon would not offer much details but said the investigation involved large sums of cash that he has in his personal bank accounts. Shariff, who worked at the Ministry under the previous PPP government, will have to prove his source of income.

Already, he has been asked to proceed on leave to facilitate the investigation. Deputy Permanent Secretary Abena Moore will act in the position.