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Prosecution has failed to prove case against Isa

Wed, 23 May 2001 Source: GNA

Mr Ambrose Derry, Counsel for ex-Youth and Sports Minister, Mallam Yusuf Isa, told the Accra Fast Track Court on Tuesday that the prosecution has failed to establish a case against his client and he intends to call for his client's acquittal.

He, therefore, prayed the court for a short adjournment to get the records of proceedings to assist him to make his submission of no case.

Mr Derry made the request when the prosecution closed its case on Tuesday. The court ordered its clerks to make available copies of the record of proceedings to defence counsel by the close of the day and adjourned sitting until Wednesday.

Mallam Isa who is charged with stealing 46,000 dollars and fraudulently causing financial loss to the State has pleaded not guilty. He is on a 500-million cedi bail.

The prosecution called 11 witnesses including police officers and officials of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and Ministry of Youth and Sports.

At Tuesday's sitting Mr Derry submitted that the loss of the money meant as winning bonus for the Black Stars and imprest for the trip was a calculated attempt to ditch his client.

He said even before the Black Stars travelled to Sudan for the World Cup qualifier, there was bad blood between him and certain key officials of the GFA and the Ministry.

He named the officials as Mr Worlanyo Agra, General Secretary of the GFA, Mr James Tiigah Principal Accountant and Mr Dan Piimi, Acting Chief Director both of the Ministry.

Mr Derry, who was cross-examining Detective Chief Inspector of Police Hope Kwaku Nyadi, a prosecution witness, asked him whether Mallam Isa had good working relationship with his subordinates.

Witness said from his investigation, he realised that the relationship was a good one and added that even if it was otherwise, it could be personal differences, which could have been resolved administratively.

Mr Derry suggested to witness that before the Sudan trip, Mallam Isa had disagreements with Agra because the budget he (Agra) had submitted for the match was on the high side.

When counsel then asked Inspector Nyadi whether this could be personal or official, he replied: "If this is not a mere allegation, then it is official."

Mr Derry said the ex-minister disagreed with Dan Piimi over a 450 million-cedi bill for footballs purchased from Ashtaed, owned by Mr Kojo Bonsu who had his eyes on the GFA chairmanship.

It was later found out that there were only three balls in the stores and asked how this could be personal and not official.

Counsel said those present when the ex-minister was putting the money in the controversial green suitcase were Mr Agra, Mr Alex Asante, Protocol Officer of the GFA, Alhassan, Mallam Isa's personal friend and his body guard.

However, the Chief Inspector said, it was only Alhassan and the bodyguard who were present.

Counsel said since Chief Inspector Nyadi was not there when the money was put into the suitcase, he could not say whether or not only the two officials were present.

Mr Nyadi said his investigation revealed that the green suitcase together with winter clothes for the players in a box were checked in at the Kotoka International Airport for Sudan.

Asked by Mr Derry whether or not he found out why the winter clothes arrived in Sudan without the green suitcase, Mr Nyadi replied in the negative.

When Mr Derry put it to the investigator that he was only trying to hold his client responsible for the missing 46,000 dollars, he replied: "No, we don't do investigations like that. I did a thorough investigation."

On the 2,500 pounds sterling Mallam Isa said was given to him by his wife for shopping, Mr Nyadi contradicted himself when he admitted that he did not find the money.

Mr Nyadi on Monday said he found the money together with an audit report and 2,000 cedis when a search was conducted in the ex-minister's residence.

Counsel said when the "irregular form" was filled in Khartoum over the missing green suitcase, Mallam Isa was not present and could not have told the airline officials what it contained.

Mr Nyadi, however, said the personal effects were stated by Mr Emmanuel Owusu Ansah, GFA Vice Chairman, on the instruction of Mallam Isa.

The Court went on a 15-minute recess to enable it to deliberate on a videotape tendered in evidence by Detective Sergeant Thomas Freeman Asante of the Forensic Unit of the police headquarters.

When it reconvened, Justice Julius Ansah announced that due to the delicate nature of the videotape, the court would sit in camera on the it.

Source: GNA