Goldfields pursue Kotoko over transfer monies
An Accra High Court presided over by Mrs Agyemang Bempah has now given February 7 as the date for judgement regarding which court should hear the case in which Obuasi Goldfields SC are demanding ¢145m with interest from Kumasi Asante Kotoko as an outstanding balance of the transfer fees in respect of Nana Arhin Duah and Isaac Boakye.
The decision was reached after counsel for the two teams had argued their cases at yesterday's sitting.
Kotoko, represented by Larry Otoo, had filed a preliminary objection to the venue of the case and prayed the High Court to transfer the case to Kumasi since that is the their principal place of business. They also argued that Kumasi will be more appropriate for the hearing as Goldfields also operate from Obuasi in the Ashanti Region.
But Goldfields' solicitors, Kuenyehia and Co., appealed against the objection on the grounds that Kotoko have an Accra House Number on the Okodan Road at Osu with telephone numbers which give the Accra High Court the jurisdiction to hear the case.
As the plaintiff, Goldfields are demanding ¢145m with interest from Kotoko for failing to honour their part of the agreement entered into by the two parties in respect of the transfer of the two players from Goldfields to Kotoko during the last season.
According to the statement of claim, Goldfields transferred Nana Arhin Duah to Kotoko at a fee of ¢130m. However, as mutually agreed between the two teams, Kotoko made a part payment of ¢65m with the promise of settling the outstanding balance of ¢65m later.
In the case of Isaac Boakye, his transfer fee was supposed to be ¢80m as agreed by both parties, with Kotoko making no commitment in terms of advance payment as was the case of the other player. It was after several demands for the money had failed that Goldfields resorted to the due process of the law last month to recover the amount.
Specifically, the plaintiff is not only seeking to recover the outstanding debts alone, but interests as well accruing from the prevailing bank rates from 1 June and 1 August 2000, in the case of Arhin Duah and Boakye respectively.