Tsatsu in court, case adjourned

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The former GNPC boss Tsatsu Tsikata appeared before the Supreme Court (CS) where he is asking the court to exercise its supervisory jurisdiction over the Fast-Track High Court and quash its decision to sentence him.

The Panel led by Justice Sophia Akufo heard arguments from both Mr. Tsiakata and the Attorney General.

Mr. Tsikata argued that the High Court (HC) disrespected the SC by not waiting for it to rule on whether the IFC was immune from testifying in the case.

According to him, going ahead to give judgement on the case while the SC was yet to determine another case relating to it amounted to disregarding the SC by the HC.

The HC sentenced Mr. Tsikata to five years imprisonment for causing financial loss to the state and misapplying public funds.

But Mr. Tsikata is challenging the propriety of the sentence and is praying the SC to declare it null and void.

He said the trial judge asked him to defend himself when his counsel was not in court on the day the sentence was handed him.

That, he said was a violation of his right to be represented by a lawyer of his choice as provided in the Constitution.

The Attorney General, Mr. Joe Ghartey in his counter arguments said the trial judge could not be faulted.

He said the case referred to by Tsatsu had already been heard earlier and therefore could not be a basis for him to challenge the court's decision to pass judgement.

The case has been adjourned to October 16, 2008.

Story by Malik Abass Daabu