Fast track court is unconstitutional - Tsatsu Tsikata

Former Chief Executive of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) Tsatsu Tsikata has been arraigned before a fast track court in Accra, but he refused to enter a plea. The defence counsel informed the court that their client is not going to enter a plea because the fast track high court is unconstitutional.

The defence also informed the court that they have filed an application at the Supreme Court for a constitutional interpretation of the status of the fast track high court.

The court therefore entered a plea of not guilty on Mr Tsikata’s behalf and he is on a self-recognisance bail of 500 million cedis. The prosecution argued that the plea must be entered before any objections are raised.

The prosecution further argued that, the Courts Act allows for the creation of divisions of the high court, adding that the fast rack high court is just a name. When Tsikata was called into the dock, he refused to enter a plea and re-echoed the arguments of his lawyers that the court is unconstitutional.

The presiding judge Justice Ansah called for a copy of the case sent to the Supreme Court and adjourned the case to Monday 18th February.

The former GNPC Boss, whose case was withdrawn from an Accra Circuit Tribunal last week, is charged with causing financial loss of about 2.2 billion cedis to the state. He is alleged to have by-passed the Board of Directors of the Corporation and guaranteed a loan of 5.5 million French francs and another 1.4 million French francs with interest inclusive to a private cocoa growing company - Valley Farm in which GNPC held an initial share of 17.39 per cent.

The loan, totalling about 2.2 billion cedis was from the Caisse Francaise de Development, a French aid agency. Tsatsu Tsikata was represented by Professor E. V. O. Dankwa and Major R. S. Agbenotor.