Prosecution ordered to produce documents in Asabee's case

Accra, April 14, GNA - A High Court in Accra on Thursday ordered the prosecution to produce five attachments accompanying a letter written to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning for the release of funds to Phlexifom Ventures and PHC Motors.

The letter was allegedly written by Frank Agyekum, Former Deputy Minister of Information and National Orientation, on November 19, 2008 for payments to be made to the two companies.

The order stemmed from the fact that defence counsels had raised objection on the basis that the attachments accompanying the letter for the release of funds were incomplete.

Mr Godfred Agyapong, Head of Audit Unit of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), had tendered the letter and part of the attachments in evidence.

However, after the defence had carefully examined the documents and attachments he found out that only three of the attachment were brought to the court.

Mr Agyapong was continuing his evidence in the case in which Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, Former Minister of Information and National Orientation, his wife Zulieka Lowria and six others are standing trial for alleged malfeasance against the State.

The other accused persons are Frank Agyekum, Kofi Asamoah-Boateng, Former Director of Finance and Administration, Kwabena Denkyira, Former Director of Finance and Administration of the Ministry, Dominic A. Sampong, Former Acting Chief Director, Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Prosper Arku of a non-legal entity firm.

Yasmine Domua, a businesswoman and one of the accused persons was abse= nt. Also in court was a non-legal entity firm, Supreme Procurement Agencies Limited.

They have pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit criminal offence and contravention of provisions of the Public Procurement Act, attempting to defraud by false pretences and deceit of public officer. The accused persons were alleged to have conspired to defraud the State of GH¢86,915.85 in renovation works, undertaken on the Ministerial Block, during Asamoah-Boateng's tenure of office. They are already on bail in the sum GH¢10,000 each with a surety. Earlier, Mr Agyapong told the court that the letter for the release of the funds was handed over to him by Denkyira pointing out that the entire documents were photocopies. Mr Agyapong said the attachments calumniated from the entire documents concerning PHC Motors.

Mr Augustines Obuor of the defence counsel indicated that after the prosecution had been granted leave to amend the charge sheet, the necessary changes should be effected and signed by the prosecution. Meanwhile, Agyekum, who was absent, had written to the court that he was on elections observation outside the country. Hearing continues on April 20.