Supreme Court adjourns Tsikata's Appeal sine die

Accra, June 8, GNA - The Supreme Court on Tuesday adjourned an appeal filed by Tsatsu Tsikata, a former Chief Executive of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), sine die.

Tsikata charged with wilfully causing financial loss of 2.3 billion cedis to the State and intentionally misapplying public property is appealing against the dismissal of his appeal filed at the Court of Appeal, challenging the FTC's rejection of a submission of no case. Counsel for Tsikata, Professor E.N.O. Dankwa, filed a substantive appeal for "stay of proceedings", to further challenge the Appeal Court's dismissal of his submission of no case to answer, and an order to open his defence at the Fast Track Court.

When the case was called today at the Supreme Court, Prof. Dankwa said there was an issue he would like to discuss with the Court in chambers. The Court obliged and left with Mr Osafo Sampong Director for Public Prosecution to chambers and returned a few minutes later.

Soon after their return, the Court presided over by Justice William Atugubah said in view of the discussion held in chambers," the case is hereby adjourned sine die."

The Court, however, mentioned that the panel would be reconstituted. Other members on the panel are Justice Sophia Akuffo, Justice Mrs Georgina Woode, Justice Dr Seth Twum, and Professor Modibo Ocran. Sometime in March 2003, the FTC over-ruled the submission of no case and ordered that Tsikata should open his defence in the case.

Tsikata then filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal in November last year, which was then dismissed on the grounds that it lacked merit. He was, therefore, ordered to go back to the FTC, to open his defence in the case.

He then filed an appeal to challenge the Appeal Court's ruling and is now seeking a relief from the higher court to quash that decision and order, and also to uphold his submission of "no case." Tsikata is currently on a 700 million-cedis self-recognisance bail. 08 June 04