SSNIT Scandal: Media trial of Ernest Thompson unfair – Prof Alabi

Former SSNIT Board Chair Prof Joshua Alabi has described as “unfair” the media’s reportage on the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) $72 million Operating Business Suite (OBS) contract procurement in which the former Director-General of the Trust, Ernest Thompson, has been indicted.

Describing himself as a victim of media persecution, Prof Alabi stated that the media was too quick to place judgment on Mr Thompson instead of leaving the case to the court for a fair prosecution.

“It happened to me when the first case came and now you are telling me that it’s not the case. The media tried and sentenced me that $72million, Alabi’s stomach. You heard that in Ghana and now the report is saying it’s not true,” he uttered.

Taking his turn on ’21 minutes with KKB’ with Ghanaweb Editor, Kwabena Kyenkyenhene Boateng, Prof Joshua Alabi said although he is unhappy about the unfortunate incident, he is very confident that Ernest Thompson will make his case.

“Why do you think I will be happy that a colleague is going to court? I am very confident that Ernest Thompson will make his case and this is not the media now trying him. This is not the media trying Ernest Thompson. The court is going to try him and for that matter Ernest will make his case,” he stated.

Mr. Ernest Thompson and three others have been indicted in a PWC report following the award of an OBS contract for SSNIT.

The other three are former Head of IT Department, Caleb Kwaku Afaglo; former OBS project manager; John Hagan Mensah and Juliet Hasana Kramah of IT company, Perfect Business Systems.

However, Lawyer of former SSNIT boss, Mr. Abednego Tetteh Mensah described the findings as “senseless” because his client, who is the project manager, was not invited by the SSNIT Committee to speak to issues relating to the contract that needed explanations.

When asked by the host if he (Prof Alabi) believes Ernest Thompson was innocent, he sharply replied “I’m not a judge, I’m not a Lawyer. I’m only telling you that Ernest Thompson will go and make his case before a proper court of law and not before the media.”

The former board member, who believes the law is the right way to handle the issue, was confident that the embattled former Director will be very pleased by now because he has been given the opportunity to vindicate himself.

Meanwhile, Attorney General, and Minister for Justice, Gloria Akuffo says her office has not officially charged any of the four who have been implicated in the award of controversial $72 OBS contract by SSNIT.

She said her department is currently studying the docket of the case brought by the Economic and Organised Crimes Unit (EOCO) which initially investigated the accused persons.