National Security Council didn’t approve purchase of cyber security equipment – Witness
A fifth prosecution witness in the National Communication Authority (NCA) trial has denied that the National Security Council approved the purchase of the cyber security equipment before it was bought.
Mr Duncan Opare, deputy National Security Coordinator, told an Accra High Court that there was no record on the purchase and use of the cyber security equipment.
Mr Opare who was answering questions under cross examination said the National Security secretariat has a registry where records were kept but the registry did not have records for purchase of the equipment.
The witness admitted that he has not been involved in the purchase of any equipment for the National Security Secretariat.
He said although not all purchases go through procurement process, some vouchers need to be raised in respect of any purchase.
When asked if Mr Yaw Donkor wrote a letter for the purchase of cyber security infrastructure, witness said he saw a letter to that effect.
Witness admitted that he gave his statement to the prosecution team on January 24, this year after the trial had begun.
According to him he gave the statement after the prosecution team had contacted him and he gave the statement in his office.
He, however, denied that he had something against the accused persons and the members of the National Democratic Congress.
Mr Opare explained that per law concerning his job, his work was devoid of politics and as soon as one gets involved in it, it attracts outright dismissal.
Mr William Tevie, a former NCA boss and three other board members and a businessman are standing trial for allegedly causing $4 million loss to the state through the purchase of cyber security equipment.
The other NCA Board members are Eugene Baffoe Bonnie, Nana Owusu Ensaw and Alhaji Salifu Mimina Osman and businessman George Derek Oppong.
They are facing four counts of conspiracy to wilfully cause financial loss to the state, wilfully causing financial loss to the state and conspiracy to steal.
They have pleaded not guilty to the charges and are on bail.
The matter has been adjourned to February 14.
Source: GNA