Restaurant proprietors charged with VAT offences

Accra (Greater Accra) 15 July ’99

Five proprietors of restaurants, registered to charge VAT in Accra, today appeared before two separate Regional Tribunals for allegedly failing to issue authorised tax invoices to customers.

At the Regional Tribunal, chaired by Mr. Justice Wright Mensah, Emmanuel Nii Armah of Next Door Beach Resort, William Zhu of Far East Food Limited and Hellen Ni of China House Restaurant, were charged on two counts of failing to issue tax invoice and issuance of unauthorised invoice.

Armah and Zhu pleaded not guilty and they were each granted 10 million cedis bail in their own cognisance to appear again on July 27.

In the case of Hellen, she was not in court because according to her attorney, Miss Margaret Insaidoo, her client was indisposed and tendered a medical report to support the claim.

The tribunal ordered that notice of the next hearing date be served on the state attorney who was to prosecute the case but was not in court.

The Tribunal Chairman asked the court clerk to read out the charges as indicated on the charge sheet to the accused persons.

Particulars on the charge sheet stated that on March six, this year, VAT officials went to the restaurants, which have been registered with the VAT service to collect taxes.

The officials made purchases but they were issued with receipts not prescribed under the VAT Law.

At the other tribunal, chaired by Mr. Justice B.O. Tetteh, Roseline Dochi of Aerostar Bar and Restaurant at Kotoka International Airport and Edward Peter Larsen of Gold House Fast Food and Snacks at Dansoman, were charged with the same offences.

They pleaded not guilty and were each granted five million cedis bail with one surety to be justified. They are to reappear on July 28.

GRi../