NCA scandal: Speedy trial in the interest of accused persons - Gloria Akuffo

The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Gloria Akuffo, says a speedy trial will be in the interest of persons involved in the $ 6 million NCA scandal.

The immediate-past Board Chairman of the National Communication Authority (NCA) and three others are in court for alleged fraud and causing financial loss to the state.

Speaking to the media shortly after the Commercial Court 7 of the Accra High Court, presided by Justice Eric Kyei Baffour, granted bail to two of the accused persons, the Attorney General said, “first of all, there are a lot of things that would happen; we are now beginning with challenges of ill health of two of the accused persons and we have to do with commitment because our office is very busy, but we are prepared to sacrifice everything so the trial will be heard expeditiously.

"I am minded to think that the more expeditious we handle it, the better in the interest of the accused persons… where you have this hanging on your neck is not the best of things”.

Justice Kyei Baffour proposed to hear the case on every weekday as part of measures to expedite the trial but lawyers for the accused persons said such a routine would inconvenience them and their clients because two of their them (clients) will need to visit the hospital three times a week

A compromised schedule of Tuesdays and Thursdays was reached. The case was adjourned to 16 January.

Background

The state believes Mr Baffoe-Bonnie, a Board member of NCA , former NCA CEO, Mr Tevie, and Alhaji Osman, were aided by Mr Oppong, a private citizen, to engage in the act.



According to the state, the previous administration had contracted an Israeli company, NSO Group Technology Limited, to supply listening equipment at the cost of $6 million, to enable the authorities monitor conversations of persons suspected to be engaged in terrorism.

Mr Oppong also charged $2 million to facilitate the transaction, bringing the total sum to $8 million. The state said National Security did not have the money to fund the transaction, therefore, the NCA, which has supervisory jurisdiction over the use of such equipment, was asked to fund the project.

The officials according to the state, withdrew $4 million from the accounts of the NCA and paid $1 million into the accounts of the Israeli company.

The remaining $3 million was lodged in the accounts of Mr Oppong, who acted as a representative of local agent Infraloks Development Ltd.