Court calls for identification of former ministers

An Accra High Court on Thursday ordered four former ministers to identity 15 others who are challenging the legal basis of President John Agyekum Kufuor's order on official cars they bought at concessionary prices on leaving office.

The president's order on January 24 gave a one-week ultimatum to former government officials to either pay the difference between the prices paid earlier and the second valuation or return the cars.

Mrs Justice Georgina Wood, Judge of the Court of Appeal sitting as an additional High Court Judge, asked the four former ministers to amend their statement of claim to make known the identity of 15 others joined to the suit.

The statement of claim was in the names of Mr Martin Alamisi Amidu, former Deputy Attorney-General, Mr Kwamena Ahwoi, former Minister of Regional Co-operation, Mr Mike Gizo, former Minister of Tourism and Mr Mike Hammah, former Deputy Minister of Roads and Transport and 15 others.

In their writ of February 1, the ministers contended that the President's order was unlawful since they have a contractual agreement with the state to buy their official vehicles they had used while in office, at concessionary rates. They, therefore, petitioned the court to set aside the President's order.

In a counter motion, the Attorney-General's office is asking for an order from the court to preserve and detain the vehicles which are at the centre of the case until the case has been disposed of.

"It is only just, convenient and fair to both sides that in the supreme interest of both parties, an order be issued by the court for the detention of the vehicles to protect them from irreparable damage and injury," the A-G said.

Mr Clarence Kuwornu, Senior State Attorney argued on Thursday that the plaintiffs' motion is not properly before the court and called for its dismissal.

Mr Bram Larbi, counsel for the ex-ministers, urged the court to ensure the unrestrained use of the vehicles by his clients pending the final determination of the case.

Mrs Justice Wood adjourned to Friday the case to Friday. She also deferred ruling on the substantive application challenging the President's ultimatum to March 29.

This is because the Supreme Court has fixed March 28 to deliver its ruling on another suit filed by Mr Amidu.

That suit seeks to challenge four nominees of the President who held themselves as Ministers before Parliamentary approval.