Boadu fails to testify in Selormey's case
Spiritualist in police custody for fraud
Accra (Greater Accra) 27 July 2001
Dr Fredrick Owusu Boadu, President of the Leebda Corporation Limited in Texas, US, a key personality in the Court Computerisation case, failed to appear before the Fast Track Court in Accra on Thursday to give evidence for the defence.
He would have given evidence for Victor Selormey, former Deputy Finance Minister, who is accused of having conspired with him (Dr Boadu) to fraudulently cause the loss of 1.3 million cedis to the state.
The former deputy minister has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy, defrauding by false pretence and wilfully causing financial loss to the state.
He has been granted 1.5 billion cedis bail with two sureties to be justified.
Dr Boadu or a representative of Leebda Corporation was to tender in evidence documents which include attachments to a letter to the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
Bram Larbi and Beecham, the law firm that represented Leebda Corporation in Ghana during investigations conducted by the police into the case, wrote the letter on behalf of Leebda Corporation.
Defence Counsel led by Mr John B. Quarshie-Idun told the court presided by Mr Justice Sam G. Baddoo, an Appeal Court Judge sitting as a High Court Judge, that "the documents speak for themselves, and that the law allows that they are admitted in evidence."
Other members of the defence team are Mr Barimah Manu and Mr Kwaku Baah. The prosecution is represented by Ms Gloria Afua Akuffo, Deputy Attorney General and Mr Osafo Sampong, Director of Public Prosecution.
Mr Quarshie-Idun said the defence has a genuine problem, saying a message was received from Texas that due to the homecoming summit, all flights were fully booked and it became difficult for his client to come down to Ghana. He added: "Much as the spirit of Dr Boadu may be willing to come to Ghana, the physical body may not be willing."
Mr Quarshie-Idun said when a document is produced and rejected by the court, it should be considered that the document was tendered and rejected, adding that the document was one of those that the defence had to tender to prove its case.
He said in as much as the defence appreciates the dispensation of justice by the Fast Track Court, it should not sacrifice justice at the alter of speed.
The court granted an application by Mr Quarshie-Idun for a two-week adjournment to give the defence another chance for Dr Boadu to come and give evidence.
This was after counsel had agreed to withdraw two motions for stay of prosecution and appeal against the court's refusal to accept in evidence the document tendered by Dr Boadu's legal representatives in Ghana.
Reacting to the motions Deputy Attorney-General, Ms Akuffo said though the prosecution did not receive a copy of the "stay of prosecution," it was ready to
"reply in law."
Ms Akuffo said the prosecution was prepared to accept the adjournment if the defence would withdraw the "stay of prosecution" and subject to the court's convenience.
She, however, reminded the court of the legal vacation, and said the trial could not be adjourned beyond two weeks.
The order for Dr Boadu to appear came when the court ruled that Mr Sam Awortwi, Commissioner of Police, who represented the Inspector General of Police (IGP), could not answer questions on the exhibit which he was to tender.
It said since there was no one else present when the accused signed the contract it was only Selormey or Dr Boadu who could tender it in evidence.
The court noted that since the start of the trial on July 8, the defence had had sufficient time to put its house in order and to arrange to bring such a vital witness to testify in the case.
In granting the request for adjournment Justice Baddoo advised counsel not to go through the back of the legal door in future to make applications when it had genuine problems.
GRi../
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Accra (Greater Accra) 27 July 2001
An Accra Circuit Tribunal on Thursday remanded Sulemana Issakah Banda, a spiritualist, in police custody for defrauding a security man of 3,500 dollars under the pretext of securing him an Australian visa.
Banda pleaded not guilty to defrauding by false pretence and is to reappear on August 2.
The tribunal chaired by Mr Imoru Ziblim heard that in August 2000, Mr Issah Tufadu, the complainant who wanted to travel abroad was introduced to the accused to assist him procure a visa.
Banda on August 28 charged 3,500 dollars for his services and Mr Tufadu made a part payment of 500 dollars.
The tribunal further heard that the accused failed to fulfil his six-week promise to get the documents ready. On March 13 this year, Banda told Mr Tufadu that the documents were ready and that the complainant should accompany him to purchase the ticket for the trip.
The prosecution said an additional 3000 dollars was paid to the accused person compelling him to arrange for the complainant's departure.
On the departure day, Banda led Mr Tufadu to the Airport where he handed over a Liberian passport with Australian visa bearing the name of Bulak Nathan-Pewe.
Mr Tufadu went on the flight but was arrested on arrival for possessing a fake passport and repatriated to Ghana.
GRi../
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