Asabee's case adjourned to July 29

Accra, July 28, GNA - Mr. Victor Xola Kwashie Senaya, Chief Director of Ministry of Information, on Wednesday mounted the witness box to testify in the case of Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, Former Minister of Information and National Orientation and others.

Led in evidence by Mr. Anthony Gyambiby, Chief State Attorney, Mr. Senaya told the Fast Track High Court that he did not know Supreme Procurement Agency Limited, a non-legal entity in the case.

Mr. Senaya said in May 2008, Asamoah-Boateng held the first management meeting and gave the assurance that he would make the Ministry of Information (MOI) very robust and vibrant.

By this, the third prosecution witness said the Former Minister said the restructuring would be undertaken through the purchase of logistics, refurbishment and re-tiling of some offices of the Ministry.

Witness said Asamoah-Boateng did not tell them the source of funding of the project.

Mr. Senaya said it was later that he got to know that Phlexicom Ventures undertook the project.

Witness said he only heard the name of Phlexicom Ventures when Mrs. Zita Okaikoi took office in 2009 following a management meeting held at the Ministry.

"I am aware that work was done but cannot tell whether it was completed because I don't know the details of the project", witness said.

Mr. Senaya said it was during the management meeting that he got to know that refurbishment of the Ministry was not paid for.

During the meeting, witness said Mrs. Okaikoi was extremely angry because the payment of GH¢86,000 was going to be effected without her consent.

Witness said Kwabena Denkyira, Former Director of Finance and Administration of the Ministry, initially told Mrs. Okaikoi that the project went through tender.

According to Mr. Senaya, Denkyira however admitted that indeed the project did not go through the tender processes.

Witness said he was later invited to the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) for questioning.

At the BNI, Mr. Senaya said he told the officials he was not a member of the Tender Entity Committee set up by the MOI.

He further denied participating in any Tender Entity Committee and that he wrote his name during the said meeting.

During cross-examination, Mr. Senaya admitted that he did not know much of about the case at hand.

Asamoah-Boateng, Former Minister of Information and National Orientation, his wife, Zulieka Jennifer Lorwia and six other public officers have been charged with conspiracy to defraud the State.

Also in court is a non-legal entity firm, Supreme Procurement Agencies Limited.

The accused persons are alleged to have conspired to defraud the State of GH¢86,915.85 in renovation works undertaken at the Ministerial Block of the Ministry during Asamoah-Boateng's tenure of office.

Other accused persons are Frank Agyekum, Former Deputy Minister of Information and National Orientation, Dominic A. Sampong, Former Acting Chief Director, Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Kwabena Denkyira, Former Director of Finance and Administration of the Ministry, Prosper Arku of the non-legal entity firm, and Yasmine Domua, a businesswoman.

They have all pleaded not guilty before the court presided over by Mr Justice Charles Quist.

The court has admitted them to GH¢10,000 bail each with a surety.

The case was adjourned to July 29.