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| Judgement of Abodakpi’s Case Fixed |
1/16/2007 |
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Judgement in the case involving a former minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Dan Abodakpi (MP for Keta) has been fixed to take place on Monday 5th February, 2007. The date was announced by the presiding judge, an Appeal Court Judge sitting as an Additional High Court Judge, Mr. S. T. Faakye of the trial court – an Accra Fast Track High Court. Hon. Abodakpi is charged with a charge of willfully causing financial loss of $400,000 to the State during ex-President Rawlings’ era.
He has since pleaded not guilty to the charge. Hon. Abodakpi, according to the prosecution led by Ms. Gertrude Aikins, a Chief State Attorney, allegedly caused the transfer of Trade and Investment Project (TIP) Fund interests to the tune of $400,000 lodged at ECOBANK into the personal account of one Dr. Frederick Boadu, a consultant as payment for consultancy services.
Prosecution said the payment was too much, and that $250,000 rather should have been paid, hence citing Abodakpi for causing financial loss. But the counsel for Mr. Abodakpi, Mr. Charles Hayibor insisted that the right payment for the job done by Dr. Boadu is $400,000. He therefore noted that there is no loss in the transaction.
Defence Counsel also said that prosecution failed to produce a letter written to Ministry of Finance requesting for study proposal on the project in question which is a crucial document to free Abodakpi. The defence lawyer therefore prayed the court in his last address today to acquit Mr. Abodakpi because no case has been established by prosecution against him.
By Bernard Quanson
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