WOYOME TRIAL CASE ADJOURNED

By Felix Engsalige Nyaaba

The state prosecution in the fraud case involving a business mogul, Mr. Alfred Agbesi Woyome and three other persons has yesterday pleaded with the court for extensive time to gatherer credible evidence and to also arrest additional suspects in the entire judgement debt scandal.

Ms Cynthia Lamptey,  lead prosecutor,  made the request yesterday to the Financial and Economic Crime High Court when the case was called for hearing.

“My Lord we prayed that, this case be adjourned to a date convenient to the court to enable us gather some relevant documents in this case and to also call some key persons who would help in getting the bottom of this case,” the Chief State attorney told the court.

According to the prosecutor, more of the suspects in the case would be arrested for interrogation, either for prosecution or for them to appear before the court and give evidence as to how they know about the entire scandal.

The defence counsels did not raise any objection to the prosecution request and obliged to the State Attorney pleas and the case adjourned to March 5, this year.

However, before the state Attorney request for adjournment, the trial Judge in the case has yesterday caused fear and panic among defence lawyers for threatening to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of Mr. Samuel Nequaye-Tetteh and his wife, Gifty Nequaye-Tetteh, first and fourth accused persons for failing to appear in court when the case was called.

The presiding judge, Mr. Justice John Ajet-Nasam who upon several times cautioned the prosecution and the defence that he  would not entertain any unreasonable action by any of the parties in the case to cause delay of proceeding yesterday issued the bench warrant, following the absence of the two accused persons when the case was called.

According to the trial judge, the case is a criminal one and that the court would not wait for the accused persons to come to the court at their own space of time.

But quick pleadings by the defence lawyers had however, led the trial judge to rescind his decision and revoked the bench warrant shortly Mr. Nequaye-Tetteh and the wife emerged in the court room.

Mr. Alfred Woyome, had his freedom after his bail bond was varied from GHC54 million with two sureties to be justified to GHC20 million with three sureties to be justified following his inability to fulfill the bail condition on the first day he was granted bail.

His accomplices, Samuel Nerquaye-Tetteh, Chief State Attorney, and, Paul Asimenu, the Director of Legal Services, Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MOFEP), were all granted bail in the sum of GHC6, 000.00 with a surety each to be justified.

Mrs. Nerquaye-Tetteh, in whose account Mr. Woyome paid GH¢400,000.was on their first appearance granted bail in the sum of GH¢500,000 with two sureties.

The four accused persons were all also ordered to report to the police twice a week, preferably Mondays and Fridays.

Mr. Alfred Agbesi Woyome, the chief architect of the whole fraud scandal, faces three counts of conspiracy to commit crime to wit defraud, defrauding by false pretence and corrupting a public officer.

Mr. Samuel Nerquaye-Tetteh, the Chief state Attorney faces two counts of conspiracy to commit crime  to wit defraud  and corruption of a public officer,

His wife, Gifty  Nequaye -Tetteh  and Mr. Asimenu, the legal adviser to the Ministry of Finance faces one count  each  for  abetment of crime.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charges and are expected to reappear in court next Monday, February 20, this year.

Mr. Woyome was in court and appeared happy as he now bears broad smile on his face and in accompanied with a three member legal team, led by Mr. Robertson Kpatsa.

Mr. Samuel Nequaye-Tetteh and his wife Gifty Nequaye-Tetteh   are being represented by Mr. Addo- Tuah, while Mr. Paul Asemanu is also being represented by Mr. Kwame Akuffo.

The Chief architect of the entire scandal, Mr. Alfred Woyome was arrested on Friday, February 3, this year for investigation after the EOCO submitted its interim report to the president upon a preliminary investigation into the entire judgment debt saga.

The other accused persons were also picked up by the police following their alleged contribution in the entire scandal in the EOCO interim report.