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17.04.2014 General News

Court fixes April 30 to rule on Woyome's submission

By Myjoyonline.com|Ivy Benson
Court fixes April 30 to rule on Woyome's submission
17.04.2014 LISTEN

The High Court in Accra, has adjourned to April 30, a ruling on a 'submission of no case' filed by Alfred Agbesi Woyome, in a fraud case brought against him.

The much awaited ruling, originally scheduled for April 17, brought dozens of sympathizers to the court premises in solidarity with the accused person, who is seen in political circles as a bank roller of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).

However, the trial judge, Justice John Ajet-Nasam, indicated that he could not complete writing his decision on the application filed by the accused person due to ill-health.

Hence, the court gave a new date to announce its decision on the submission of no case.

The ruling of the court will either exculpate the accused person of any  liability levelled against him or a possible conviction once evidential burden of proof is absent on the part of the accused.

Mr. Woyome is facing charges of defrauding by false pretence and causing financial loss to the state to the tune of over 51 million Ghana Cedis, and has been on trial for nearly two years.

He had pleaded not guilty and he is currently on bail.

The ruling is in respect of a request from the accused person arguing that the state had failed to prove its case against him and should therefore be discharged. However, the state filed its response in March 28, 2014 against the 'submission of no case' filed by the defense, arguing that it has made enough evidence against Woyome to warrant him to open his case before the court.

The request of the accused person came following an announcement on January 30, 2014 from the State, led by Chief State Attorney, Matthew Amponsah, that it had brought its case against Woyome to an end.

The State said Mr. Woyome, on February 2010, had made a false representation that Government owed him two per cent of €1,106,470,587 for his services of providing financial engineering for the rehabilitation of the Kumasi, Accra and El-Wak stadia, ahead of the CAN 2008 African Cup of Nations.

Embattled businessman, Mr. Woyome, then obtained a-51-million Ghana Cedis judgment debt payment, but the state contends the payment was obtained fraudulently.

The Attorney-General is therefore seeking an order from the court for a refund of the GH¢51, 283,480.59 paid to Mr. Woyome.

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