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Substantial part of Woyome cash paid under Martin Amidu; witness tells court

The Chief Director at the Attorney General’s Department has said a substantial part of the controversial 51 million cedis judgement debt paid to business man Alfred Woyome was paid under former Attorney General Martin Amidu.
According to Ahmed Sulemana, two of the three 17 million cedis installments were paid when Mr. Amidu was in office as A-G.
He made the revelation on Monday during cross-examination in a case in which Alfred Woyome is being prosecuted for conspiracy to commit crime, and defrauding by false pretense.
Woyome caused to be paid him an amount of 51 million cedis in judgement debt between 2010 and 2011.
He claimed he was entitled to the money because they were incidental losses he suffered when the erstwhile Kufuor administration abrogated contracts he validly entered into with the government.
The ‘contracts’ were in relation to the building of stadia for the CAN 2008 finals in Ghana in 2008.
Following his claims, Woyome entered into an agreement with the Attorney-General, Betty-Mould Iddrisu to be paid an amount of 51 million as damages. The parties filed same before the High Court, with the state agreeing to pay the money in three separate installments of 17 million cedis each.
The A-G’s department later filed a case in court suggesting it was wrong in entering into the agreement with Mr. Woyome.
The asked that since due date for the payment of the first tranche of 17 million had passed, the state should pay that money whilst its case was being heard. It later transpired that inspite of this directive by the court, the entire amount was paid.
Some critics have chided Mrs. Mould Iddrisu for failing to adequately defend the state.
After persistent criticism, Woyome was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit crime and defrauding by false pretense.
At the cross examination on Monday, one of the Prosecution witnesses and chief Director at the Attorney General’s Department, Ahmed Sulemana disclosed that two of the 17 million cedis installments were paid under Martin Amidu who took over from Betty Mould Iddrisu as A-G.
Betty Mould had paid the first installment before leaving office.
His revelation comes at a time when Martin Amidu is in court as a “citizen vigilante” challenging the payment made to Woyome, Waterville and Isofoton and seeking a refund of monies paid illegally to them.
Joy News’ Anny Osabutey also reported Ahmed Sulemana as saying, whilst in office, Martin Amidu had been cautioned by the Solicitor General, Ama Gaisie that the case against Woyome was weak and should be withdrawn, a suggestion he flatly rejected.Even though Martin Amidu will not speak publicly on the matter, sources say the former Attorney General was not aware of the payment to Woyome and could not have stopped a payment he knew nothing about.
He reportedly did not also withdraw the case against Woyome as suggested by the Solicitor General because he was convinced his predecessor was well grounded before proceeding to court.
The case has meanwhile been adjourned to October 16, 2013.
 
Credit: Myjoyonline

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