I am not guilty - Victor Selormey opens defence today

The former Deputy Minister for Finance, Mr Victor Selormey is to open his defence today at the Fast Track High court trying him for fraudulently causing the loss of $1,297,500 to the state, writes The Daily Guide.

This follows three options given him by the presiding judge, Justice Samuel Baddoo, to choose between standing in the dock and give statements without being cross-examined, to rely on police statements or to sit and give evidence and later be cross- examined by the prosecutor.

Counsel for the accused, Barima Manu, opted for the third option (i.e., to sit and give evidence) and prayed the court to give the accused, enough time to open his defence but the Judge, refused and instructed the accused to open his defence today since enough evidence has been made against him.

The Judge also refused an application by Counsel for the accused, Barima Manu, to order a Magistrate in Texas to take a statement from Dr. Frederick Owusu Boadu of Texas, U.S.A., arguing that it is beyond the jurisdiction of the court.

Mr Selormey is alleged to have conspired with the said Dr. Frederick Owusu Boadu, a Ghanaian Consultant in the United States of America, to fraudulently cause the loss of $1,297,500 meant for a court computerization project.

He has pleaded not guilty to six counts of conspiracy, defrauding by false pretence and willfully causing financial loss to the state.

The former Deputy Minister has been granted bail in the sum of ?1.5 billion with two sureties to be justified.