Gov’t mum over 'judgment debt arrest' clamours

The Government has chosen to keep mum on calls by some prominent opposition leaders, including former energy Minister Prof Mike Ocquaye, for the arrest and prosecution of former government officials who were involved in the payment of “illegal” judgment debts to foreign firms; Waterville Holdings and Isofoton S.A.

Aside the opposition, anti-graft body, Ghana Integrity Initiative has also made similar calls.

GII says disciplinary measures must be taken against officials who were involved in the payment of the illegal judgment debts which Ghana’s Supreme Court recently ordered the beneficiaries to pay back to the State.

Waterville was paid 25 million euros while Isofoton received US$325,000.

Among those the opposition and anti-corruption campaigners are clamouring to be punished are former Attorney General Betty Mould-Iddrisu; her former Deputy Ebo Barton-Oduro and former Deputy Information Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

Deputy Information, Felix Ofosu Kwakye, however, told the media at Monday’s Flagstaff House briefing that the government did not intend interfering in the work of the appropriate institutions which exist to enforce the Supreme Court’s orders.

“I will not comment on that except to say that agencies that are charged with the responsibilities of enforcing the judgment of the Court will do their work,” he said.