Counsel for Mr. Ato Dadzie, the former Chief of Staff who is standing trial in the Quality Gram saga, yesterday rescinded his decision before the Fast Track Court in Accra to invite former President Rawlings to testify on his client's behalf.
Rescinding his decision, the Counsel, Mr. Adjei Ampofo, told the court that there was no need for former President Rawlings to be invited anymore because there is enough evidence from both prosecution and defense witnesses, which can set his client free.
Mr. Adjei stated his intentions not to allow his client to pay the ?4million demanded by the Court Registry.
He explained that his client is unemployed and financially challenged.
He therefore made intention clear not to go ahead with his client's appeal for 'no case'.
In reaction, Deputy Attorney General, Ms. Gloria Akuffo, said that if accused was not prepared to pay the ?4million, then they should forward the case to the Appeal Court for consideration.
Counsel for the 3rd accused, Mr. Kwaku Baah, in his submission, prayed the court to adjourn the case so as to provide ample time for both the team of experts and the defense team to visit the project site at Aveyime and conduct examination and evaluation.
Reacting, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Osafo Sampong, told the court that he has no objection whatsoever to the demands of the defense team that the court should allow them to pay a visit to the project site.
Justice Afreh , the presiding judge, adjourned the case to February 19, this year to enable the defense and their witnesses to pay a visit to Aveyime to evaluate the project site, as they had demanded.
He further issued an order to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to extend to them the same assistance and facilities that were extended to the prosecution when they were also visiting the site.
The former finance minister, Mr. Kwame Peprah, and five other former public officers are standing trial at the Fast Tracked Court for their alleged involvement in the Quality Grain project that had led to the loss of $2Omillion to the state.
The rest are Nana Ato Dadzie, former Chief of Staff; Mr Ibrahim Adam, former Food and Agriculture Minister; Samuel Dapaah, former Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and Dr. Sipa Yankey, a former Legal Director of the Ministry of Finance.
They have all pleaded not guilty to the charges of conspiracy and willfully causing financial loss to the state and have been granted self-recognisance bill.
