I investigated theft at GREL - ASP Yakubu

A witness on Tuesday told an Accra Fast Track Court that he was detailed to investigate a theft of money involving Hanny Sherry Ayittey, treasurer of the 31st December Women's Movement (DWM). Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ahmed Issa Yakubu, now with the Regional Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Kumasi, was giving evidence in the case in which four persons are being tried by an Accra Fast Track Court for their role in the privatisation of Ghana Rubber Estates Limited (GREL).

ASP Yakubu, who is the investigator in the case, said on April 24, 2001 when he was assigned to investigate the stealing at GREL in Takoradi, he interviewed a number of people. Among them were Dan Abodakpi, former Minister of Trade and Industry, one Frimpong, Austin Gamey, former Deputy Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Owusu Banafo, a consultant, Madam Georgina Okaitei, a housewife, one Kwame Awuah Asante and R.G. Narnor.

ASP. Yakubu, formerly with the CID Headquarters, Special Investigation Task Force Office in Accra, who was led in his evidence by Osafo Sampong, Director of Public Prosecution, said he interrogated all the accused persons. According to the witness, on 4 and 23 May 2001 he took investigation caution statement in English from Ayittey, who wrote it by herself and signed.

Four persons are facing trial for their alleged involvement in corrupt practices during GREL's privatisation. They are Ayittey, Emmanuel Amuzu Agbodo, former executive secretary of the Divestiture Implementation Committee, Ralph Casely-Hayford, a businessman and Sati Dorcas Ocran, a housewife.

All the four were alleged to have influenced the DIC Board to divest GREL in favour of Societe Industrielle Plantation Hevea (SIPH). They have denied their various charges. The court, presided over by Justice J. C. Amonoo-Monney, an Appeal Court Judge, with an additional responsibility on the case as a High Court Judge, has granted each of them self-recognisance bail.

When ASP Yakubu, at this stage tendered all documents at hand in evidence, defence counsel objected to some of the statements, saying witness did not sign them. Witness had told the court that he was not available when some of the accused persons wrote other statements, adding that he collected them from one Sergeant Imoru, who signed them.

He said as the head of a three-man investigation team he later read those statements. The court stated that witness was not competent to tender such documents in evidence, because he did not sign them. The court stated further that "the proper person who took the statement has to come to court to tender them in evidence, so that he could answer questions in cross-examination."

The court admitted in evidence caution statements that ASP Yakubu collected and signed from the first accused on 3 September 2001; second accused on 15 November 2001 and third accused on 4 September 2001.

In all these statements, the three accused persons wrote them, signed and were counter-signed by witness. The case was adjourned to Wednesday 4 June.