Peprah, Others jailed in Quality Grain case

An Accra Fast Track High Court presided over by Mr Justice Dixon Kwame Afreh on Monday sentenced three former top public officials to various terms of imprisonment for their involvement in the Quality Grain Company case.

Kwame Peprah, Former Minister of Finance, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment, while Ibrahim Adam, Former Minister of Food and Agriculture and George Yankey, a Former Director of Legal Sector, Private and Financial Institutions of the Ministry of Finance, were sentenced to two years' imprisonment each.

The Trial Judge acquitted and discharged Nana Ato Dadzie, Former Chief of Staff and Mr Samuel Dapaah, Former Chief Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. They were charged with conspiracy and causing financial loss of 20 million dollars to the State in a rice project at Aveyime in the Volta Region.

Reading his judgment, which lasted seven hours, Mr Justice Afreh, a Supreme Court Judge sitting as an additional High Court Judge, noted that the country had suffered as a result of the misappropriation of public funds, adding that laws had been enacted to curb the incident.

He said he took into consideration the defence team's pleas, the length of the trial, which was two years, and the ages of the officials.

"I personally hope that I do not involve myself in a case like this, at a time when I'm going on retirement." There was a conspicuous security presence at the court, which was besieged by relatives of those on trial. Among the crowd that witnessed the judgement were Professor John Evans Atta Mills, Former Vice President; Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, Former Presidential Adviser and Dr Nii Josiah-Aryeh, General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The rest were Alhaji Huudu Yahaya, NDC Vice Chairman; Mr Joseph Owusu-Acheampong, Former Minister of Food and Agriculture; Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, Minority Spokesman on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and Mr Lee Ocran, Vice Chairman, NDC. Immediately after the pronouncement of judgment, the courtroom became quiet, but in no time, some relatives of the convicts cried uncontrollably.

Police had a hectic time escorting the convicts to the Nsawam Medium Security Prison to begin their sentences. Before the sentence, the Defence team prayed the court to be lenient with their clients, as the Prosecution had committed a serious error. The Defence added that the accused persons were all family men and that if they should be sent to jail, their homes would be broken.

They also stated that some of their clients' businesses had collapsed, a situation that had made their livelihoods very difficult.

Counsel also noted that this was not a case of stealing, as in the case of Mallam Isa, who was convicted by a Fast Track Court of stealing and thereby causing financial loss to the state.

They further noted that none of their clients transferred any funds intended for the Quality Grain project into their personal accounts.

George Yankey, whose Attorney was absent and spoke for himself, said: "If I were asked to go and steal or kill, I would not have done that." He added that all that he did was to ensure the success of the rice cultivation in Aveyime, saying: "In fact, I worked tirelessly towards the project, and if I should be sentenced for an offence that I have not committed, I leave it to the Almighty."

Acquitting Nana Ato Dadzie, the Trial Judge noted that there was no default on his part as he paid compensation to the settlers. He said the land had been acquired long ago, saying the State was bound to pay the compensation, hence he did not cause financial loss to the State.

Speaking to Journalists later, Samuel Dapaah said, "I give thanks to the Lord and no more comments."

Alhaji Yahaya said, "The due process is not ended; we would consult our lawyers."

When the GNA contacted the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr Osafo Sampong, he said he sent people to the court to be prosecuted, and that they had been convicted.

He said he went to the court with a particular purpose, which he had achieved. The Prosecution called 21 witnesses.

The Quality Grain scandal revolved around a US woman, Juliet Cotton, to whom the money was paid to produce rice at Aveyime.

A US Court had already convicted Cotton for her involvement in the project.