CitizenGhana group sues AG over Woyome money

The CitizenGhana Movement (CGM) is suing the Attorney General (AG), Marietta Brew Appiah, in an attempt to compel her to retrieve the GHc51.2 million paid as judgement debt to Alfred Agbesi Woyome. The Supreme Court, in 2014, ordered the embattled Mr Woyome to refund the GHc51 million but the Attorney General’s Department has not retrieved the money yet. Mr Woyome was paid the sum of GHc51 million as judgment debt for allegedly rendering services to the state during preparations for the African Cup of Nations hosted in Ghana in 2008. Last year, Lawyers for Alfred Woyome assured the Supreme Court their client will pay back the Ghc51 million judgment to the state by the end of 2015 but that did not happen. A statement released by the CGM reiterates the above points. “On 29th July, 2014, in a case brought by Hon. Martin Amidu, the Supreme Court made an order against Alfred Agbesi Woyome to refund GHC51.2million back to the State. Since that date, the Attorney General (AG), who has the sole and primary responsibility to enforce this order, has failed to do so. On the 30th of March, 2015, counsel for Alfred Woyome, intimated in court that his client shall liquidate the judgment debt by the end of December 2015.” The CGM notes they wrote to the AG requesting an update to the case against last year but there was no response from the AG. “It is disturbing to note that between July 2014 and December 2015, the value of the judgment debt of GHC51.2million had depreciated by GHC12.6 million. A continued delay in executing the judgment therefore means a continued depreciation of its value,” the statement said. The CGM further explains they are filing this suit against the AG to compel them to take the mandated steps against Mr Woyome so the role Martin Amidu played in winning the judgment will not be in vain. “…CGM wants the Court to order the AG to take such lawful steps to preserve the assets of Alfred Agbesi Woyome so that the hard won judgment of Hon Martin Amidu is not rendered a pyrrhic victory.”
On 29th July, 2014, in a case brought by Hon. Martin Amidu, the Supreme Court made an order against Alfred Agbesi Woyome to refund GHC51.2million back to the State. Since that date, the Attorney General (AG), who has the sole and primary responsibility to enforce this order, has failed to do so. On the 30th of March, 2015, counsel for Alfred Woyome, intimated in court that his client shall liquidate the judgment debt by the end of December 2015. On the 29th of October, 2015, CGM wrote to the AG requesting for an update on the status of the cases (both civil and criminal) against Woyome. There was no response from the AG. Consequently, CGM was compelled to do its own search and investigations to ascertain whether or not the AG had taken steps to enforce the order for refund made by the court against Woyome. The investigations revealed that no such steps had been taken. Hence, on 24th November, 2015, CGM wrote a second letter to the AG demanding that the AG immediately moves to enforce the order and to take such lawful steps to preserve the assets of Woyome. Till date, CGM has not had any response from the AG, not even one to acknowledge receipt of the two letters. It is disturbing to note that between July 2014 and December 2015, the value of the judgment debt of GHC51.2million had depreciated by GHC12.6 million. A continued delay in executing the judgment therefore means a continued depreciation of its value. As citizens we are enjoined by Article 41(f) of the Constitution to protect and preserve public property and expose and combat misuse and waste of public funds and property. And it is our belief that the Attorney General carries an equal if not higher, responsibility to protect and preserve public property, which duty involves the enforcement of the judgment of the Supreme Court against Woyome. Consequently, CGM through two of its leading members, has filed a suit at the High Court, Accra with the primary object of seeking an order from the court in the nature of a mandamus, to compel the AG to immediately go into execution of the judgment of the Supreme Court. Again, CGM wants the Court to order the AG to take such lawful steps to preserve the assets of Alfred Agbesi Woyome so that the hard won judgment of Hon Martin Amidu is not rendered a pyrrhic victory. We therefore call on all well-meaning Ghanaians including civil society organizations to support this court action as it is in the prime interest of the general public. God bless you and God bless Ghana.
 
Source – Citifm