Betty Mould is not the Alpha and Omega of judgment debt

The crucifixion of former Attorney-General Mrs. Betty-Mould Iddrisu for her role in reaching certain negotiated agreements, herein referred to as judgment debt, in respect of claims made against the state is most unfair, lawyers for Mrs. Iddrisu have said.

Lead lawyer for the former AG, Nana Ato Dadzie, says treating Mrs. Mould Iddrisu as if by her decisions, she was the alpha and omega of judgment debts was despicable and objectionable.

The nation has been gripped by a litany of negotiated settlements of claims made against the state which have assumed a misnomer called judgment debt.

From GH¢51 million payment to Mr. Alfred Agbesi Woyome to €94 million payment to Construction Pioneers and now $1.6 million claims by Africa Automobile Ltd., the nation has been engaged in an endless debate over who is responsible for the situation.

A notable name often cited for being responsible for the Woyome and CP payment which some say were suspiciously and surreptitiously done, is Betty Mould Iddrisu whose lawyers argue she has been unjustifiably maligned and vilified.

Mr. Ato Dadzie, who was speaking on Joy FM's Super Morning Show, Tuesday, said negotiating settlement agreements between the state and private companies or citizens who make claims against the state formed part of the day-to-day duties of the Attorney-General.

He said an Attorney-General could therefore not be held liable – unless it could be proved that he or she was reckless – for his/ her decisions in respect to settlement, especially when he or she honestly believed that to be the best decision under the circumstances.

The former A-G who resigned from her post as Education Minister following unceasing cacophonous debates over the judgment debt saga, her lawyer said, is scheduled to appear before the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament to answer questions in relation to the CP payments.

Mr. Ato Dadzie said Mrs. Iddrisu, would after leaving the PAC, hold a press conference to take questions from journalists to explain her role in the matter.

He insisted the former Education Minister did nothing untoward over the issue.

Story by Ghana l Malik Abass Daabu/Myjoyonline.com