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Tag: Accra High Court

  • How Akufo-Addo’s brother was grilled in court over use of presidential jet

    When President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo‘s brother appeared before the Accra High Court where he is suing Class Media Group, the Executive Director of the Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA), Mensah Thompson, and others for defamation, Lawyer Victor Adawudu grilled him under cross-examination.

    Lawyer Adawudu was representing the Executive Director of ASEPA, Mensah Thompson.

    Thompson is accused of falsely claiming on the Accra-based Class FM that Mr. Akufo-Addo travelled to Abuja for his personal business using the presidential jet.

    Edward Akufo-Addo in his answers to some of the questions posed confirmed using the presidential jet ‘two or three times’ only in the presence of the president.

    Bumpty, as he is known popularly, had earlier indicated in his suit that the claim by the accused was “utterly false and a product of the defendant’s imagination.” He demanded among other reliefs that the court orders Thompson to pay ¢10 million as damages.

    The brother of the president, on October 31 opened his case and informed the court of his decision to rely on his six-page witness statement.

    Here is a portion of the transcript of what transpired in court between Lawyer Victor Adawudu and Edward Akufo-Addo:

    Question: Have you ever boarded the Presidential Jet?

    Answer: Yes My Lord. 2 or 3 times with the President and once with the 1st Lady.

    Question: Can you tell this court the destination when you used the Presidential Jet with the President?

    Answer: I believe to Kumasi and with the 1st Lady, returning from Kumasi.

    Question: Is it your case that the 2 consecutive flights that you had with the President was from Accra to Kumasi and back?

    Answer: Yes, to the best of my recollection.

    The President’s brother explained that he boarded the jet because the President asked him to accompany him.

    Question: Is having the privilege of using the Presidential Jet with your brother, His Excellency, in what capacity did you board the jet?

    Answer:He asked me to accompany him.

    Question: In other words, you did not go with him as a public official. Not so?

    Answer:That is so, I am not a public official.

    Question: And the privilege extended to you by the President was because you are his family. Not so?

    Answer: That is so. I am his brother.”

    He was then questioned on how much he paid each time he boarded the Jet. Mr Akufo-Addo replied that he did not pay anything.

    Answer: I didn’t pay anything. The President did not ask me to pay.

    Question:: Putting it to you that the courtesies that you enjoyed without paying were borne by government machinery from public funds.

    Answer: I am sure the flight was paid for from public funds, I do not think my joining the flight incurred any additional costs. My brother was going there in any event”, he answered.

    Background:

    The ASEPA Executive Director alleged on the media outlet that Edward Akufo-Addo had used the presidential jet for a private trip to Abuja.

    The plaintiff subsequently dragged Thompson and Class Media to court for defamation demanding GH¢10 million as damages.

    In his suit, he described the claims as “utterly false and a product of the defendant’s imagination.”

    It is not the only time Thompson has made such allegations; he is on record to have claimed that relatives of the president used the jet for a shopping trip to the United Kingdom.

    He was arrested for the publication of fake news after the military denied that the jet had been used for the said trip. He later apologized for the claim stating that his source had misled him.

    Other reliefs being sought:

    Aside from the GHc10 million cedis in damages, Edward is seeking other reliefs from the court, among others:

    “An apology and retraction of the words complained of particularly in paragraph 9 of the Statement of Claim with the same prominence as the impugned publication”.

    And a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, whether by themselves, their servants, agents or assigns, from repeating the same or other, similar words of and concerning the plaintiff.

    Lastly, he is asking for costs inclusive of legal fees.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • I have used Presidential Jet with Akufo-Addo ‘two or three times’ – President’s brother

    The brother of President Nana Akufo-Addo says he has used the Presidential Jet with President Akufo-Addo “two or three times”.

    This was Edward Akufo-Addo’s response to a question posed by Victor Adawudu at an Accra High Court.

    Mr Adawudu is the lawyer for the Executive Director of the Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA), Mensah Thompson.

    Mr Thompson and the Class Media Group have been sued for defamation by the President’s brother.

    Mr Thompson is accused of falsely claiming on the media network that Mr Akufo-Addo travelled to Abuja via the Presidential Jet for his personal business.

    Mr Akufo-Addo says the claim is “utterly false and a product of the defendant’s imagination.” He wants the court to order Mr Thompson to pay ¢10 million as damages.

    The President’s brother on October 31 opened his case.

    He informed the court of his decision to rely on his six-page witness statement.

    He was then cross-examined by Victor Adawudu. Mr Adawudu asked whether Mr Akufo had ever boarded the Presidential jet.

    “Question: Have you ever boarded the Presidential Jet?

    Answer: Yes My Lord. 2 or 3 times with the President and once with the 1st Lady.

    Question: Can you tell this court the destination when you used the Presidential Jet with the President?

    Answer: I believe to Kumasi and with the 1st Lady, returning from Kumasi.

    Q: Is it your case that the 2 consecutive flights that you had with the President was from Accra to Kumasi and back?

    A: Yes, to the best of my recollection.”

    The President’s brother explained that he boarded the jet because the President asked him to accompany him.

    “Q: Is having the privilege of using the Presidential Jet with your brother, His Excellency, in what capacity did you board the jet?

    A: He asked me to accompany him.

    Q: In other words, you did not go with him as a public official. Not so?

    A: That is so, I am not a public official.

    Q: And the privilege extended to you by the President was because you are his family. Not so?

    A: That is so. I am his brother.”

    He was then questioned on how much he paid each time he boarded the Jet. Mr Akufo-Addo replied that he did not pay anything.

    “I didn’t pay anything. The President did not ask me to pay.

    “Putting it to you that the courtesies that you enjoyed without paying were borne by government machinery from public funds,” Mr Adawudu stated.

    “I am sure the flight was paid for from public funds, I do not think my joining the flight incurred any additional costs. My brother was going there in any event”, he answered.

    Source:myjoyonline.com

  • 2022/23 Ghana Premier League: Week four Match Preview – Nsoatreman FC v Karela United

    The Ghana Premier League is back and fans will be able to watch their clubs or teams play again after an Accra High Court dismissed the Application for Injunction filed by Ashanti Gold against the GFA on Tuesday, October 25, 2022.

    The league was halted by the GFA put the Premier League on September 29, 2022 after a Motion on Notice for Injunction filed at the Human Rights High Court by Ashanti Gold SC and served on the GFA’s lawyers.

    However, the topflight is indeed back and Nsoatreman FC will host Karela United at the Nana Konamansah Park on Sunday.

    The new entrants have made a fine start start in their Premier League debut, winning one, drawing one and losing one after three matches played so far.

    Karela United, on the other hand, have made a promsiing start to season as they lie 4th on the league standings with six points. They have won two and lost one this term.

    Nsoatreman FC possible starting XI: Daniel Atagzawu (G), Obed Anford (C), Ransford Frimpong, Richard Akrofi, Traore Faycal Kafonon, Walid Neymar Fuseni, Fidaus Mohammed, Abass Mohammed, Frederick Boateng, Adam Ibrahim, Godfred Sakyi.

    Karela United possible starting XI: Felix Kyei, Emmanuel Anaful, Daniel Kwofie, Kwadwo Addae, Solomon Twene, Augustine Randolf, Humid Dafie, Emmanuel Boakye Owusu, George Amonoo, Kelvin Andoh, Samuel Atta Kumi.

    Player to watch: Kelvin Andoh

    Predicted scoreline: Nsoatreman FC 1-1 Karela United

    Source: Footballghana

  • Aisha Huang’s case: File your witness statement – High Court Judge tells Attorney General

    The Accra High Court, presided by Justice Lydia Marfo, has asked the Attorney General to file its witness statement and serve the accusers in Aisha Huang’s case.

    This comes after the Deputy Attorney General told the court he had prepared its witness statement and other relevant documents, which are being filed at the court registry.

    Chinese national, Aisha Huang, is in court for her involvement in illegal mining activities (galamsey) in Ghana at the Accra High Court.

    At today’s sitting, the Deputy Attorney General, Alfred Tuah Yeboah, asked for an adjournment as all their witness statements and documents were being filed at the court registry.

    The judge then asked the attorney to ensure it is filed and the accusers are served to enable case management and pre-trial conference to occur.

    The case was therefore adjourned to November 2, 2022.

    Meanwhile, Deputy AG Alfred Tuah Yeboah, who spoke to the press after today’s sitting, said the delay was to ensure the right documents are presented.

    “We have complied but it wasn’t within time. As we speak, it has been done. Prosecuting a case like what we have at the moment, you need to dot the “I’s” cross the T’s. At the next adjourned date we will definitely be ready to move on,“ he said.

     

  • Kasoa murder: 7 Member jury for trial of teenage suspects

    The Criminal Jurisdiction of the Accra High Court has empanelled a seven-member jury for the trial of two teenagers accused of the murder of a 10-year-old boy in Kasoa for money rituals.

    That was after the court, presided over by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, took the pleas of the teenagers, a 15-year-old boy (name withheld) and his alleged accomplice, who is 18 years old.

    The jury is made up of five women and two men.

    The two suspects objected to the inclusion of three persons from the pool of potential jurors before settling on the seven.

    Not guilty

    While the 15-year-old suspect has confessed to their involvement in the murder from the District Court, the 18-year-old suspect has, however, denied his involvement.

    However, taking their pleas on charges of conspiracy and murder before the trial court last Tuesday, the 15-year-old suspect pleaded guilty to the charge or conspiracy but pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder.

    The 18-year-old suspect on the other hand pleaded not guilty to both charges.

    The court, however, entered a plea of not guilty for the 15-year-old suspect.

    That was because the offence was conspiracy to murder and as a result, had to be tried by the jury.

    The charges were read to them in their preferred local languages.

    Jury

    The jury is made up of seven ordinary, but educated persons, who, subject to the directions of the judge, decide the guilt or innocence of an accused in a case tried upon indictment.

    After the seven-member jury had been empanelled, they were sworn in and they chose one of their own as a leader (foreman).

    They are expected to arrive at a unanimous verdict which is binding on the court.

    Advise

    The presiding judge advised the jury to be present in court at all times to listen to, see and hear the witnesses that will be called by the prosecution in their quest to establish the guilt of the accused persons.

    “You are not supposed to be influenced by anything you hear or see relating to this matter on social media or in the society.

    “You are only bound by the evidence that you hear or see in this courtroom,” the presiding judge said.

    Justice Marfo also urged them to comport themselves inside and outside of the courtroom diligently.

    “You must not be influenced with money or any other consideration whatsoever.

    “The court expects maximum cooperation from you as far as timing and dates are concerned.

    “The court will not hesitate to apply the necessary legal sanction to any recalcitrant juror,” she added.

    Next sitting

    At the next sitting slated for October 24, 2022, counsel for the accused are expected to address the jury on their expectation in the case while the prosecution addresses the jury on its case after which counsel for the accused persons will be given the chance to respond, paving the way for the trial to officially commence.

    Meanwhile, the investigator in the case is expected to file the report on the investigation of the notice of alibi filed by the 18-year-old suspect through his lawyers.

  • Former PPA Boss back in court

    The former Chief Executive Officer of the Public Procurement Authority, Mr. Adjenim Boateng Adjei, is expected to appear again in court today, Thursday, October 13, 2022, following charges preferred against him by the Special Prosecutor earlier this year.

    The ex-PPA Boss has been slapped with 17 charges by the Special Prosecutor.

    He pleaded not guilty to all the charges when he was arraigned on May 25, 2022 before the Criminal Division of the Accra High Court.

    Mr. AB Adjei denied seven counts of using Public office for profit and 10 counts of directly and indirectly influencing the Public Procurement process using his office.

    The second accused person Francis Kwaku Arhin, his brother-in-law also pleaded not guilty to one count of using Public officer for profit.

    The two were months ago granted bail in the sums of GHc5 million cedis each with two justified sureties.

     

     

     

     

  • Freddie Blay’s firm should not have accepted to defend alleged illegal miners – Obiri Boahen

    In my candid opinion, former Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Freddie Blay’s law firm should not have accepted to defend accused persons in the ongoing illegal mining case pending before the Accra High Court, Mr Obiri Boahen, a former General Secretary of the NPP has said.

    In a radio interview monitored by Graphic Online on Accra based Okay FM on Wednesday morning, Nana Obiri Boahen said Mr Blay’s firm should have allowed other lawyers to stand in for the accused persons.

    On Tuesday in court, Lucy Ekeleba Blay, a private legal practitioner, told the court that she was holding brief for Mr Freddy Blay in the case of the four accomplices of En Huang, popularly known as Aisha Huang, who has been charged with the others for engaging illegal mining activities in Ghana.

    The four accomplices are Gao Jin Cheng, Lu Qi Jun, Haibin Go and Zhang Zhipeng.

    Mr Freddie Blay is the lead counsel for the firm in which Lucy Ekeleba Blay works.

    Already, Mr Blay has clarified that he is not the one who is personally handling the case but confirms that it is the law firm he belongs to that is handling the case.

  • Gov’t is determined to make Aisha Huang face the law – Lands Minister

    Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor has said the Akufo-Addo administration is determined to make all persons who are caught engaging in illegal small scale mining (Galamsey), to face the full rigours of the law.

    He indicated that the Chinese national, Aisha Huang popularly known as Galamsey Queen, who was arrested for allegedly re-entering Ghana without permission after her deportation, and the others with her will all face the law for their actions.

    Aisha Huang was denied bail yet again on Tuesday October 11.

    She was denied bail by an Accra High Court, where she is facing four charges pressed by the Attorney General.

    Speaking to journalists after the case, Mr Jinapor said “One of the key pillars on which we are seeking to deal with this issue of illegal small scale mining is law enforcement and prosecution, particularly as it relates to foreigners.

    “As you can see, the Attorney-General himself was in court and he himself is conducting this trial, prosecuting the cases in a very spirited and enthusiastic manner.

    “I think it helps my work, when you have an Attorney-General who is diligent and serious about prosecution and ensuring that all perpetrators are brought to book, I think it is a big boost and I am very thankful to him for the work he is doing.

    “We will continue with our efforts on all fronts – law enforcements, reforms as well as the prosecutorial part, which we are fully committed .

    “As you can tell, this Aisha Huang lady, the government of President Akufo-Addo is committed to bring her and other persons who are involved in illegal mining to face the full rigors of the the laws.”

  • 2 Granted GH¢4m bail over galamsey contract

    A reverend preacher and another individual have been taken before the Accra High Court for their alleged participation in the recent galamsey operations involving the Chinese illegal miners in the nation.

    The 59-year-old Rev. Wallace Dela-Brown and Wilberforce Essien have been charged with conspiring to mine without a permit and hiring non-Ghanaians to do mining operations and services without a permit issued by the ministry, respectively.

    The accused have entered a not guilty plea.

    The court, presided over by Justice Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh, subsequently admitted the two to bail in the amount of GH$2 million each with two sureties.

    Per the bail conditions, the sureties should be justified with landed properties and must be residents of Accra.

    The accused are also to deposit their passport, passport pictures with the registrar of the court.

    They are also to report to the police once every week.

    Brief facts

    Per the brief facts of the case presented to the court by an Assistant State Attorney (ASA), Derick Ackah, were that on September 8, 2022, police had information about illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey, at Teleku-Bokazo near Nkroful in the Western Region involving some Chinese who were residing at Esiama.

    He said that based on the information gathered, the police mounted an operation at Esiama where suspects, Huang Qian Xi, LiJian Wen, Huang Qian Sheng,Shi Zhong Qi and Wei LinXi, who are all Chinese, were arrested.

    He told the court that an excavator and other mining equipment were also seized.

    The Assistant State Attorney stated that investigations revealed that Essien was one of the Ghanaians who contracted the aforementioned accused persons currently in custody.

    The Assistant State Attorney said on September 16, 2022, Rev. Dela-Brown was arrested and in his cautioned statement, he admitted the offence and stated, among other things, that he had an agreement with the Chinese to provide them with logistics and financial support to undertake activities on a concession belonging to Rev. Dela-Brown.

    He said Essien mentioned that he had a contract with the Chinese to undertake mining activities on his concession.

    Rev. Dela-Brown also indicated that Essien paid him an amount of GH¢150,000.

    The prosecutor told the court that investigations into the matter were ongoing.

    Per the bail conditions, the sureties should be justified with landed properties and must be residents of Accra.

    The accused are also to deposit their passport, passport pictures with the registrar of the court.

    They are also to report to the police once every week.

    Brief facts

    Per the brief facts of the case presented to the court by an Assistant State Attorney (ASA), Derick Ackah, were that on September 8, 2022, police had information about illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey, at Teleku-Bokazo near Nkroful in the Western Region involving some Chinese who were residing at Esiama.

    He said that based on the information gathered, the police mounted an operation at Esiama where suspects, Huang Qian Xi, LiJian Wen, Huang Qian Sheng,Shi Zhong Qi and Wei LinXi, who are all Chinese, were arrested.

    He told the court that an excavator and other mining equipment were also seized.

    The Assistant State Attorney stated that investigations revealed that Essien was one of the Ghanaians who contracted the aforementioned accused persons currently in custody.

    The Assistant State Attorney said on September 16, 2022, Rev. Dela-Brown was arrested and in his cautioned statement, he admitted the offence and stated, among other things, that he had an agreement with the Chinese to provide them with logistics and financial support to undertake activities on a concession belonging to Rev. Dela-Brown.

    He said Essien mentioned that he had a contract with the Chinese to undertake mining activities on his concession.

    Rev. Dela-Brown also indicated that Essien paid him an amount of GH¢150,000.

    The prosecutor told the court that investigations into the matter were ongoing.

  • Court convicts Liberian national for narcotic trafficking at KIA

    A Liberian national has been given a ten (10) year prison sentence by the Accra High Court for attempting to transport cocaine through the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) to Bangkok, Thailand.

    Following Ms. Wolo Maikplay Margaret’s conviction, the court presided over by Her Ladyship Justice Mary Ekua Yanzuh further penalized her 10,000 penalty units in default and ordered her to serve an extra three years in prison on Wednesday, August 31, 2022.

    In accordance with sections 36 and 37 of the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019), the accused admitted guilt to two charges of attempted exporting and possession of a controlled substance without a Minister of Health license.

    The presiding judge found her guilty on her own plea on each count to run concurrently.

    Ms. Wolo Maikplay Margaret was apprehended by Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) officers on the 14th of May, 2022, while transiting through Kotoka International Airport (KIA) from Monrovia to Bangkok-Thailand onboard Qatar Airways.

    Court convicts Liberian national for narcotic trafficking at KIA

    A total of thirty (30) pellets containing cocaine weighing 277.2101grams were retrieved from beneath her breast and Vagina when commission officials conducted a physical search on her after receiving a tip off from a sister security agency at Kotoka International Airport (KIA).

    A statement issued by the Narcotic Control Commission on Tuesday, “emphasised that the possession and attempted transportation of narcotic drugs is still illegal and punishable under domestic law.”

    It also assured citizens of “its ongoing commitment to keeping the influx and smuggling of all types of narcotic drugs to a bare minimum through collaboration with the relevant stakeholders.”

  • Man who raped woman hours before her death jailed for life

    A man who raped a vulnerable woman who was found dead just hours later has been given a life sentence.

    Lars Pedersen, 38, attacked Alison McAllister at the Forth and Clyde Canal in the Maryhill area of Glasgow.

    The 56-year-old victim had been sitting alone and was said to be in a distressed and intoxicated state when Pederson approached her.

    Her body was found near the canal on 20 March, 2018, about 19 hours after she was last seen.

    A judge told Pedersen at the High Court in Edinburgh that the circumstances of the offence were “extremely concerning”.

    Lord Doherty imposed an Order for Lifelong Restriction on him, saying he was in no doubt that he posed a serious risk of harm to members of the public, particularly women.

    Alison McAllisterPolice Scotland
    Alison McAllister was last seen a day before her body was found

    He ordered that Pedersen, from Hampshire, must serve a minimum of three years and two months before he can seek release.

    Pedersen has already served longer than that on remand, but parole authorities will consider the issue of public safety before there is any chance of his release in the future.

    He had admitted assaulting and raping care home worker Ms McAllister when he appeared at an earlier hearing at the High Court in Glasgow, but did not face a charge over her death.

    Pedersen, who has previous convictions in England, was placed on the sex offenders register for life.

    Source: BBC

  • Farmer testifies to efficiency of Lithovit fertiliser in Opuni trial

    Dr Stephen Kwabena Opuni, the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), assisted Samuel Torbi, a cocoa farmer, produce more cocoa with the lithovit liquid fertiliser, he told the Accra High Court on Monday.

    He claimed that the lithovit fertiliser supplied by COCOBOD, then managed by Dr Opuni, allowed him increase his production from 2,875 kilogrammes in the 2013/14 cocoa season to 8,125 kilogrammes in the 2015/16 cocoa season.

    “I state that the lithovit liquid fertiliser is the best fertiliser that I have ever used on my cocoa farm. It is the best fertiliser ever supplied by COCOBOD. It is a liquid fertiliser, and it is very effective.”

    Mr Torbi, who has 17 years of experience and owns over 33 acres of cocoa farms in the Central Region, testified as a defence witness for Dr Opuni, who is accused of causing a financial loss to the state of over GH271 million in a series of transactions with businessman Seidu Agongo, CEO of Agricult Ghana Limited, the fertiliser’s producers.

    The farmer told the court that he only used granular fertilisers before adopting lithovit liquid fertiliser. According to him, he

    He stated he used both fertilisers on his land since he was unsure of the effect of the new fertiliser. However, after some time, he discovered that lithovit liquid fertiliser was more effective.

     “I must state that the risk was worth it. I harvested and sold 8,125 kilogrammes of cocoa beans for the said 2015/2016 cocoa season. I, therefore, became convinced about the efficacy of liquid fertilisers.”

    He then informed the court that his productivity dropped when COCOBOD stopped delivering lithovit liquid fertiliser to him and other farmers during the 2017/2018 cocoa season.

    When Mr Tobi attempted to surrender his cocoa passbook, which includes his cocoa sales and other information from 2012 to the present, the prosecution made an objection in court.

    The prosecution, Mrs Evelyn Keelson, pointed out to the court that the witness’s name on the passbook was Rockson, not Samuel.

    “ROCKSON” that had been corrected to “SAMUEL” “Rockson can certainly not be a mistake in the spelling of the name Samuel, not by any stretch of imagination. It is our submission that the document the witness seeks to tender as his own is not his document.

    Justice Clemence Jackson Honyenuga, the presiding judge, overruled the objection and admitted the passbook into evidence after Samuel Codjoe, lead counsel for Dr Opuni, explained the circumstances that led to the correction.

    The court then ended proceedings for hearing to resume on May 19. The Prosecution will cross-examine Mr Tobi in the subsequent hearing.

    The Prosecution alleges that Dr Opuni and Seidu Agongo collaborated to sell Lithovit fertiliser, a substandard product.

    The Prosecution speculates that Mr Agongo used fraudulent means while Dr Opuni, who served as COCOBOD CEO from November 2013 to January 2017, refused to allow lithovit liquid fertiliser be tested and certified as required by law.

    The accused are on self-recognisance bail in the sum of GH¢300,000 each after not pleading innocent.

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • You had no permission to conduct secret recording Lawyer for alleged coup plotters

    Counsel for the ten accused persons standing trial for high treason has asked an Accra High Court to strike out recordings presented in the case as evidence by the prosecution lead witness.

    The defence lawyers have pointed out variations in key aspects of the evidence including the over 70 videos, dates, times, places and situations as a basis for their demand.

    They cite that whilst the time on the recordings indicated 2013, the alleged offence occurred between 2018 and 2019.

    According to the GNA, Victor Kwajoga Adawudu, who is counsel for four of the accused persons, argued during sitting that prosecution breached the constitution as they did not secure a court warrant before conducting secret recordings on his clients.

    He further argued that the recordings violated the fundamental human rights of his clients as they were obtained in violation of their rights stating that they were secretly recorded.

    According to the counsel for the accused persons, some of the contents in the recording were irrelevant to the matter insisting that no permission was sought from his client before the recordings were conducted.

    “The various recordings, he said, which talked about different roles played by some of the accused persons must be separated and analysed differently and not to be put together on one hard drive as done by the prosecution, saying that every bit and piece must meet the admissibility criteria,” the GNA reported.

    In associating himself with the submissions of lawyer Adawudu, Counsel for Johannes Zipki, lawyer Anthony Lartey, also questioned the authenticity of the recordings saying it had been tampered with and manipulated through editing or alteration. He further questioned the originality of the tapes saying they were not the raw unedited version of what was allegedly recorded by the witness.

    He notes that the prosecution was duty-bound to produce the original, unmanipulated, unedited recordings whereas the Court was also entitled to examine the original recordings to guarantee its admissibility. He further stressed that those before the Court must be rejected in the interest of justice.

    Another defence lawyer, Bede Tuuku, who is counsel for Lance Corporal Ali Solomon associated himself with the objections raised while stating that the exhibits sought to be tendered in court were not from proper custody, saying that Staff Sergeant Awarf was not even privy to the content because he only sent the recordings to Colonel Amponsah, (in charge of the Military Academy Training School and first prosecution witness in the case) who in turn downloaded and accessed the contents without him (Sule) knowing the content.

    All other remaining defence lawyers associated themselves with the submissions made by their colleagues demanding that the evidence be rejected by the court.

    However, the Director of Public Prosecution, Yvonne Attakorah Obuobisa prayed the court to admit the recordings into evidence stating that the prosecution’s case will be thrown into jeopardy if the evidence is not accepted.

    The prosecution emphasised that the recordings were relevant and must be admitted and argued that right to privacy could not be said to be absolute as it can be infringed in the interest of the state.

    “The DPP argued that the information was original and was not recorded in 2013 but between 2018 and 2019, it was procured by the Ghana Armed Forces and the original date was the same registered when it was first used.

    “With the authenticity, she said the chain of custody had not been broken which made the recordings original, witnesses identified them as well as Staff Sergeant Awarf having knowledge of the contents,” the GNA reported.

    The accused persons in the ongoing trial are Dr Frederick Yao Mac Palm, Donyo Kafui, alias Ezor, Bright Alan Debrah, alias BB, Johannes Zikpi, Colonel Samuel Kojo Gameli, Warrant Officer Class Two Esther Saan, Corporal Seidu Abubakar, Lance Corporal Ali Solomon, Corporal Sylvester Akanpewe, Assistant Commissioner of Police Benjamin Kwasi Agordzo.

    They have been charged for various offences such as conspiracy to commit crime, high treason, abetment of crime and possession of arms.

    They have denied the charges and are being tried by a three-member-judge panel.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Fake lawyer busted in court

    An Accra High Court has ordered for the arrest of a 56-year-old man who allegedly posed as a lawyer and was defending a client in court.

    Nana Adjei Ntow was in court to defend a complainant who had filed a stealing case against his former girlfriend when the court presided by Gifty Adjei Addo, realized that suspect was impersonating and ordered for his immediate arrest.

    A police source who was at court told the paper that on December 22, 2019, one Edward Debrah of East Legon who is the complainant in the case for which the suspect had represented him in court, reported to the Airport district police command that his ex-girlfriend had stolen his 2016 unregistered Toyota corolla.

    The complainant told the police that the lady after stealing the vehicle, also forged documents to the car and registered it.

    According to the report, during police investigations, it came to light that the vehicle was not stolen from the complainant as he had reported and that he handed over the vehicle to the lady together with documents to register it in her name.

    Police investigations indicated that, the complainant apparently left the lady and secretly got married to another woman but upon hearing it, the lady also decided to get married to another man.

    The information indicated that the complainant then gave the lady an option to either leave the man and take the vehicle or return the vehicle but the lady disagreed and that was the reason the complainant reported the matter to the police.

    The information indicated that the police after their findings, decided not to prosecute the matter but Nana Adjei Ntow, (now suspect) reported at the police station and identified himself as a Lawyer practising in the Brong Ahafo region, and was representing the complainant.

    “Suspect Nana Adjei Ntow went ahead to file a counter case at the Accra high court against the victim (lady in the case) and during the proceedings, the court realized that he was impersonating as a lawyer and caused his arrest.”

    The trial judge immediately called for his arrest and prosecution.

    When the airport district crime officer, DSP Alex Kwesi Kwarteng, was contacted, he told the paper that the police had granted Nana Ntow bail to be reporting but the matter was still under investigation.

     

    Source: Daily Guide Network

  • High Court strips Accra Technical University of TUSAAG leadership

    A Tamale High Court presided over by Justice Osei Gyamfi has given a month ultimatum to the Technical Universities Administrators Association of Ghana TUSAAG) to hand over leadership of the association to elected executives of the Bolgatanga Technical University.

    The Court has also ordered executives of the Accra Technical University (AUT) who were sworn in as national executives to with immediate effect seize to hold themselves as such.

    A GH¢20,000 damages has also been given in favour of the plaintiffs.

    Bernard Ayamga, the President-elect for the Association at the Bolgatanga Technical University, could not hide his excitement after the judgement.

    He told 3news.com he and his team are ready to take over the affairs of the Association for the next three years.

    “We will provide an open, transparent and an all-inclusive leadership with focus on setting the right agenda for uplifting the image of administrators in all Technical Universities.”

    Background

    The Association was formerly known as the Polytechnic Administrators Association of Ghana.

    Leadership rotates from one Technical University to the other.

    A conference is organized to determine which school gets the nod to host the national office of the Association.

    The last Technical University to host the National office was the Tamale Technical University.

    In 2018, when their three-year tenure expired, it was the turn of Bolgatanga Technical University to host the national office.

    An election, subsequently described by members as free and fair, was organized and executives elected.

    But Bolgatanga Technical University was denied a formal handing over with the reasons that the school was yet to be converted into a Technical University.

    This did not go down well with the elected executives and some members.

    They petitioned the Association but their petition got no attention.

    A press conference was also held.

    After several attempts to get the executives to do the right thing failed, they turned to the courts for redress.

    While they were going to court, executives of the Accra Technical University were sworn into office.

    This was challenged and the Association cited for contempt by the High Court in Tamale.

    Damages of GH¢6,000 were awarded to the plaintiffs.

    After two years of back and front in court, the court finally delivered judgement that the leadership of the Association be given to elected executives of Bolgatanga Technical University.

    Source: 3 News