Monies were recorded in Movement's books - Counsel

Accra, Oct. 20, GNA - Mr David Lamptey, a Defence Counsel in the Ghana Rubber Estates Limited (GREL) divestiture case on Monday told an Accra Fast Track Court that monies GREL paid to the 31st December Women's Movement (DWM) were recorded in the Movement's books. Mr Lamptey told the Court that when the investigator into the case examined the record books of the DWM, he detected that GREL paid the monies to help finance projects initiated by the Movement.

Counsel made these disclosures when he continued with his submission of "no case" against his client, Hanny Sherry Ayittey, Treasurer of DWM, and one of the four persons standing trial in the matter.

The three others are Emmanuel Amuzu Agbodo, former Executive Secretary of the Divestiture Implementation Committee (DIC), Ralph Casely-Hayford, Businessman and Sati Dorcas Ocran, Housewife. The four are being tried for their alleged involvement in corrupt practices in connection with the privatisation of GREL. They allegedly used their various positions to influence the DIC Board to divest GREL in favour of French Company, Societe Industrielle Plantation Hevea.

They have denied their individual charges and the court presided over by Mr Justice J C Amonoo-Monney, Appeal Court Judge, with an additional responsibility on the case as a High Court Judge, has granted them bail in their own recognisance.

Continuing with his submission, Mr Lamptey told the court that three other Prosecution Witnesses gave evidence at the Court and stated that GREL paid a total amount of 200,000 dollars to the DWM to help finance its projects.

Counsel, therefore, debunked the notion in certain circles that GREL gave those monies to his client as a gift. He submitted that there was no evidence at all that money was paid to Ayittey to enable her to use her position to influence GREL's divestiture.

Further hearing of the matter has been fixed for Monday, October 27.