GREL "no case" case fixed for December 10

Accra, Nov 20, GNA - An Accra Fast Track Court hearing the Ghana Rubber Estates Limited (GREL) divestiture case would give its ruling on submissions of "no case" made on behalf of the accused persons by Defence Counsel.

Mr Justice J. C. Amonoo-Monney, Appeal Court Judge with an additional responsibility on the case as a High Court Judge, announced the date after Thursday's hearing.

Whilst Defence Counsel prayed the Court to acquit their clients because the Prosecution, after resting its case, failed to establish a "prima facie" case against them, the Prosecution insisted that the accused persons had a case to answer and should be made to open their defence.

The accused persons are standing trial for their alleged involvement in corrupt practices during the privatisation of GREL.

They are Hanny Sherry Ayittey, Treasurer of the 31st December Women's Movement; Emmanuel Amuzu Agbodo, former Executive Secretary of the Divestiture Implementation Committee (DIC), Ralph Casely-Hayford, Businessman and Sati Dorcas Ocran, Housewife.

The accused persons were alleged to have used their positions to influence the DIC Board to ensure that a French company, Societe Industrielle Plantation Hevea, won the bid for GREL's divestiture.

They have all denied their various charges and are currently on bail in their own recognisance.

Mr David Lamptey, Mr J. E. Senoo, Mr Rodney Heward-Mills and Mr Tony Lithur are defending Ayittey, Agbodo, Casely-Hayford and Ocran in that order, while Mr Osafo Sampong, Director of Public Prosecutions is representing the State.