Woyome case adjourned again

Alfred Agbesi Woyome

An Accra High Court has again adjourned hearing of the controversial judgement debt paid to business man Alfred Woyome to four more weeks.

This is to allow the state conclude investigations into the 51 million cedis judgement debt paid to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) financier.

The state is accusing Woyome and three others- a state attorney Nerquaye Tetteh and wife as well as a public officer at the Finance Ministry, Paul Asimenu- of fraud and causing financial loss to the state. The suspects have pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The case has provoked massive public interest with the opposition New Patriotic Party accusing government officials of complicity in the controversial judgement debt payment.

After series of adjournment, the case was called on Monday, April 30, 2012, but the prosecution did not appear ready.

Joy News' Sammy Darko who was present at the court reported that the Attorney General has now taken custody of the docket and pleaded for more time to conduct further investigations before it could begin trial.

The defence counsels who were not happy with the slow pace being adopted by the prosecution prayed the court to review the bail conditions.

Presently, the suspects are to report to the police twice a week, a situation the defence insist is too rigorous, especially when the prosecution did not appear ready to open its case anytime soon.

They requested their client be allowed to report once a week to the police, but the sitting judge refused the request.

Akoto Ampaw who is lawyer for Paul Asimenu, urged the judge to step down the case to allow for the prosecution to finish its investigations but the judge also ruled against that proposition.

The case has been rescheduled to June 4, 2012.