State files motion to amend charges in the case against Asabee and others
The State has filed a motion on notice to amend charges in the case in which Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, ex-Minister of Information and National Orientation and other people are standing trial for allegedly failing to follow due process before rehabilitating the Ministerial building.
The State did not disclose the charges to be amended or the accused persons who would have their charges amended.
After the prosecutor, Mr Anthony Gyambiby, Chief State Attorney had informed the High Court of the motion, one of the defence counsels, Mr Augustines Obuor, raised an objection saying that the motion had some irregularities and therefore should be withdrawn.
According to Mr Obuor, the motion had no date, stamp of the Attorney and it was addressed to the Fast Track High Court.
He pointed out that the court trying the accused persons was High Court 21 and not one of the six Fast Track High Courts established by the Chief Justice.
According to him if the court wanted to change to become a Fast Track High Court, then that should be done through the law.
Based on his argument, Mr Obuor therefore prayed that the prosecution withdrew the motion and effect the necessary changes.
In his response, Mr Gyambiby stated that motions from the Attorney General did not bear any stamp and he did not know about laws which stated clearly that motions from the Attorney General’s Office must be stamped.
However, he admitted that there was no date on the motion and hence withdrew it.
Today’s trial was hit by a number of objections raised by defence team on the production of original documents being tendered in evidence.
Continuing with his evidence-in-chief, Mr Godfred Agyapong, Head of Audit at the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) told the court that a duplicate of minutes of the Entity Tender Committee produced by Kwabena Denkyira, Former Director of Finance and Administration of the Ministry was forged.
According to him, when he contacted those who attended the said meeting, they denied ever attending such a meeting.
Asamoah-Boateng, his wife, Zulieka Lorwia and six public officers have been charged with conspiracy to defraud the State.
Also in court was a non-legal entity firm, Supreme Procurement Agencies Limited.
The accused persons are alleged to have conspired to defraud the State of GH¢86,915.85 in renovation works undertaken on the Ministerial Block, during Asamoah-Boateng’s tenure of office.
Other accused persons are Frank Agyekum, Former Deputy Minister of Information and National Orientation, Dominic A. Sampong, Former Acting Chief Director, Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Kwabena Denkyira, Former Director of Finance and Administration of the Ministry, Prosper Arku of the non-legal entity firm and Yasmine Domua, a businesswoman.
They have all pleaded not guilty.
The court has admitted them to GH¢10,000 bail each with a surety.
Hearing continues on March 8.
Source: GNA