Regional Minister, three others in court for contempt

Accra, April 23, GNA - Nii Armah Ashietey, the new Greater Accra Regional Minister, and three public officials on Thursday appeared before an Accra Fast Track High Court for contempt. The three public officers are Mr F.T. Nartey, Chief Director of the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council, Mr J. A. Tufour, Director of Administration, Accra Metropolitan Assembly and Chief Okai, Metro Chief Security Coordinator.

The Minister and the three public officials were said to have disobeyed the orders of court by mobilizing policemen and guards to halt construction work being undertaken by Continental Sikaman Agencies Limited at the Tudu Lorry Park.

When the case was called in the morning, the Minister was not in court. His counsel, Mrs Hannah Pearl A. Sereboe, told the court that the Minister was on national assignment.

The trial Judge Mr Justice David Ofosu-Quartey did not take kindly to her excuse and reminded her that the charge brought against the Minister was contempt and he was to appear in person. The trial judge said the court was sacred and therefore needed to be accorded its dignity and respect and stood the case down until 1400 hours.

When the press entered the court room at 1345 hours the Minister was already seated. At 1404 hours when the case was called Mrs Sereboe was not in court and the case was stood down and the trial judge ordered that she should be contacted on phone.

While efforts were made to get Mrs Sereboe she arrived. The court ordered all the parties, including Mr Borton Oduro, the Deputy Attorney General and Deputy Minister for Justice into chambers. On their return, the judge expressed regret about the display of red bands by some sympathizers and entreated parties to be calm. According to the judge the court premises were not a place for sympathizers to beat war drums saying it was the duty of the court to ensure that parties were at peace at the end of the day. It ordered the contractor to put work on hold and asked the women to go about their duties as "they try to resolve the matter". It therefore adjourned the matter to May 7.

Members of he Indigenous Caterers Association who were clad in red waiting outside the court jubilated as their leaders announced to them the outcome of the matter.

A contractor on April 21, this year filed a motion on notice at an

Accra Fast Track High Court to commit Nii Armah Ashitey, the new Greater Accra Regional Minister, and three public officials for contempt. The Minister and the three public officials were said to have disobeyed the orders of the court by mobilizing policemen and guards to halt construction work at the Tudu Lorry Park.

The Fast Track High Court had earlier ordered Kwame Danquah of Continental Sikaman Agencies Limited to complete work on the Lorry Park within 12 months and in an undertaking provide shops to the traders as soon as work was completed.

The suit said the four, who were aware of a pending suit, ignored the orders of the court and went ahead to halt work at the lorry station and their conduct should not go unpunished.

According to Mr Danquah, the conduct of the four was wilful and calculated at bringing the authority of the court into dispute. Meanwhile, the same court did not comment on the sentences of eight members of the Tomato Traders Association, who had been found guilty for contempt.

The eight, who were also aware of the suit, destroyed materials meant for work and moved to the foundation platform and turned it into a market place.

In a motion in support of an affidavit, Mr Danquah said on October 23, 2007, a writ of summons was issued against him and the AMA. Following his response, Mr Danquah said, the court set aside the order of interlocutory injunction and ordered him to sign an undertaking to complete a commercial property situated at Tudu within 12 months and give the plaintiffs the first option to relocate shops to them by July 25, 2008.

Mr Danquah said he, therefore, began work immediately but was cited for contempt together with the former Metropolitan Chief Executive of AMA, Mr Stanley Adjiri Blankson and brought before the court. The Court on October 5, 2008 directed Mr Danquah to continue with work and to complete the project on time.

However, during the course of work members of the Tomato Sellers Association stormed the site and destroyed properties. They were therefore cited for contempt and on April 8 the court convicted them but deferred sentence to April 20.