Tema, Feb. 13, GNA- Four Customs officials at the Tema harbour, an importer and a clearing agent have appeared before the Tema circuit court "A", charged with causing financial loss to the state to the tune of 27.2 million cedis.
Alex Yeboah, Samuel Brako, James Enninful and Kwasi Banfo, all Customs officials, pleaded not guilty and were granted 20 million cedis bail with two sureties each to re-appear on February 19, 2004. Peter Mensah, the importer and J.K. Akpatse, clearing agent, are at large.
Police Inspector Adolphus Otchere, told the court presided over by Mr Charles Asiedu that on December 20, 2002, Peter Mensah imported goods into the country and claimed they were personal effects. He said Yeboah was detailed by his senior officer, Enninful to examine the goods, even though as a rule, it was the duty of the senior officer to do that.
He said in the process Yeboah colluded with Mensah and Akpatse to under-declare the goods, by tagging them as personal effects as claimed by the importer.
Inspector Otchere said Enninful accepted the recommendations of Yeboah and caused documents to be prepared by Brako and the importer paid only 975,185 cedis as duty through his clearing agent Akpatse.
The prosecution said on January 23, 2003, whilst the goods were being conveyed on a vehicle personnel from the National Security at the port and GPHA security, upon a tip off, intercepted the vehicle. When the goods were re-examined, they were found to be electrical appliances in commercial quantity, with few personal effects, which should have attracted a duty of 28.1 million cedis.
