Judge Furious Over Prosecution's Delay Of Woyome Case

The Financial Division of the Accra Fast Track High Court, is dismayed at the poor handling of proceedings by state prosecutors of the controversial payment of GH¢51.2 million to a businessman, Alfred Agbesi Woyome.

The court, presided over by Justice John Ajet-Nasam, did not take kindly to the state’s claim on Monday that investigations had not been completed and gave the prosecutors up to April 30, 2012 to start criminal proceedings or face the consequences.

He said it was not fair for the Attorney-General’s office to use the phrase “still investigating” to curtail the liberties of persons.

Barely 20 minutes after this ultimatum, the Commercial Court awarded GH¢500 cost against the state in favour of Woyome for delaying in its civil proceedings to recover the GH¢51.2 million.

The Commercial Court directed the prosecution to start leading evidence on April 3, 2012 in the civil proceedings it instituted against Woyome.

This brings the total sum of cost awarded against the state in the civil matter between the state and Woyome to GH¢2,500. The first was awarded against the state on February 29, 2012 for its delay in filing additional issues to introduce fraud in the civil matter.

At the Financial Division’s sitting in Accra Monday, Justice John Ajet-Nasam was particularly disappointed with the prosecution after a Chief State Attorney, Ms Cynthia Lamptey, prayed the court to adjourn the criminal case against Woyome and three others because investigations had not been completed.

“It is frustrating for the Attorney-General’s office to continue asking for time. It is not good for the image of the country,” the trial judge stated.

Justice Ajet-Nasam said “I will give adjournment for the last time for the Attorney-General’s office to advise itself on whether or not to speed up with prosecution or to throw in the towel.”

He also dismissed the state’s earlier claim that the accused persons had not been charged.

He said the records showed Woyome and three others were charged on February 6, 2012 and reminded the state that the accused persons pleaded not guilty to charges preferred against them.

For that reason, Justice Ajet-Nasam pointed out that it was out of place for the state to claim the accused persons had not been charged.

Woyome, who was alleged to have put in false claims to retrieve the said GH¢51.2 million has pleaded not guilty to three counts of conspiracy, defrauding by false pretences and corrupting a public officer and is on bail.

The three others are Samuel Nerquaye-Tetteh, a Chief State Attorney, Paul Asimenu, Director of Legal Services of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and Gifty Nerquaye-Tetteh. Samuel Nerquaye-Tetteh is facing two counts of conspiracy and corruption of public officer, while Paul Asimenu faces one count of abetment of crime, with Gifty, wife of Nerquaye-Tetteh charged with one count of abetment of crime.

They have all been granted bail. The three have also pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Woyome and the three others were present in court.