Attorney General fails to begin hearing on Woyome's suit

The State on Tuesday failed to begin hearing in the suit brought by Alfred Agbesi Woyome, a businessman involved in the GH¢51.2 million judgment payment at the Commercial Court.

The move was prompted by the fact that the Chief State Attorney handling the case was indisposed.

The State was expected to begin the hearing following the dismissal of an interlocutory application by lawyers of Woyome at the Appeal Court restraining the Commercial Court to stay proceedings until the final determination of the matter.

It initiated an action against Woyome, on January 16, asking the Commercial Court to set aside the GH¢51.2 million consent judgment awarded to him because it was procured by fraud.

Mrs Barbara Ackah-Ayensu, the trial judge said the court received a medical report from the Attorney General’s Department indicating that Mrs Dorothy Afriyie Ansah, Chief State Attorney handling the case was indisposed.

She said the report indicated that the Attorney General’s (AG) representative would require at least five days to sought her herself out.

Mr. Osafo Buabeng, member of Woyome’s legal team said the defence was ready to begin the case but the continued delay of the matter was affecting his client.

Mrs Ackah-Ayensu who was not happy with the turn of events expressed concern about the continuous postponement on the matter since 2010 when it was brought to the court.

She said the manner the case was being handled was not good for justice in the country, and expressed the hope that the Chief State Attorney would return on time for the case to commence.

The case was adjourned to June 26.

On January 16, former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Martin A.B.K. Amidu, filed an affidavit to amend an earlier writ, praying the court to set aside a consent judgment awarded to Woyome, which the AG alleged was procured through fraud.

He said new information that had come to the AG's attention required an amendment to the writ of summons and statement of claim filed on August 18, 2010.

Mr. Amidu in his amended writ said it had come to the AG's attention that Woyome lacked the legal capacity to maintain his claim against the AG because there was no contract between Woyome and the Government upon which Woyome could have maintained any cause of action in the suit.**