Woyomegate: Shares in 11 companies to be charged

The Supreme Court has granted an order imposing a charge on any and all shares held by businessman Alfred Agbesi Woyome in some private companies in which he has beneficial interests.

The order was granted upon an application filed by Chief State Attorney, Mrs Stella Badu of the Civil Division of the Attorney-General’s Office on May 17, 2017.

This is part of government’s efforts to retrieve 51.2 million cedis wrongfully paid to the National Democratic Congress financier which the Supreme Court in a 2014 judgment ordered should be paid back to the state.

Since then, the state has struggled to enforce the judgment and retrieve the colossal amount.

In the latest judgment delivered on June 18, 2017, Justice Anthony Alfred Benin, ordered that all shares held by Mr. Woyome in some 11 companies should be charged temporarily.

Some of the companies are Anator Holdings Company Ltd, AAW Management Consulting Services Ltd, Green Townships Security Services Company Ltd., Anator Construction Company Ltd., Woyome Brothers International Ltd., Stewise Anator Company Ltd., and Stweise Shopping Company Ltd.

Mr. Woyome is expected to appear before the Court on Thursday, June 29, 2017 “to show cause why [the] charging order should not be made absolute.”

Mr. Woyome is also to be orally examined in respect of the matter.

The Supreme Court granted an ex parte motion filed by Assistant State Attorney at the Attorney-General’s Department, Victoria Adotey praying the court to allow for oral examination of Mr. Woyome.

A similar order was late last year granted former Attorney-General, Martin Amidu to orally examine the businessman but that case was later withdrawn.

The A-G’s department will be seeking answers in respect of four issues: Whether there are any debts owing to Mr. Woyome; Whether he has any property for satisfying the judgment of the Court dated 29 July 2014; Whether he has any means of satisfying the judgment of the court; and the manner he used the money paid to him by the Republic.

“Let the judgment/debtor, Alfred Agbesi Woyome be served with a copy of the Order as drawn up with a hearing notice to appear before this court on Thursday, 29th June 2017 to be examined…” the Court said.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com