Woyome still a thief - Rawlings

Former President Rawlings is refusing to accept the innocence of business Alfred Agbesi Woyome despite a court ruling freeing him of criminal conduct in the payment of ȼ51million cedis in 2010 .

The f ormer president used the visit of a bereaved family of one Isaac Tetteh to give his opinion shortly after the historic ruling that set the embattled man free.

The extent of corruption I have been talking about. I just read that the thief called Woyome had been freed. Why? Because his accomplices [Betty Mould and one other person] who were in government were not produced in court for vital evidence to incriminate him.”

Alfred Agbesi Woyome walks free
The former leader joined in the growing condemnation of the Attorney-General (A-G) and Minister of Justice Mrs. Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong for what the judge described as a “shoddy” defence.

The unwillingness of the state to use key witnesses, former A-G and Minister of Justice Betty Mould Iddrisu and her deputy Barton Oduro was not lost on President Rawlings.

The two were responsible for the payment of GHȼ51million to the businessman who claimed his contract to build some stadia for a football tournament in 2008 was abrogated.

Rawlings believes that because Betty and Barton were not made to mount the witness box, Woyome got the opportunity to go “scot-free”.

Betty Mould
In his view, the ruling entrenches the view that corruption “in government keeps worsening”.

Ebo Barton Oduro
“At the Attorney-General's office, individuals who collaborated with Woyome should have been called but they were spared. How can we tackle the canker when all these things are going on? We are not serious,” the outspoken former president said.

Mrs. Appiah-Oppong has told Joy News, she has requested a copy of the ruling for study and hinted she may appeal the ruling.

She delivered the strongest indication yet that the state will retrieve the GHC51 million judgment debt “illegally” paid to Alfred Agbesi Woyome.

Mrs. Appiah-Oppong said the state will not relent in pursuing the case at the highest court of the land, the Supreme Court, and will make sure that the money, which has been a subject of controversy for years, is refunded. Story by Ghana|Myjoyonline|Edwin Appiah|[email protected]