Soussoudis Trial Moves To High Court

After months of respite from the legal case on his hands, Michael Soussoudis, the celebrated cousin of former President Jerry Rawlings has now been committed to face trial before a High Court in Accra.

Immediately the courts resume from the current legal vacation in October, Soussoudis would have to defend himself against charges of illegal possession of fire arms found in his home, following a police swoop last year. A source close to the office of the Director of Police Prosecution (DPP) disclosed this to “The Evening News” in Accra. According to the source, Soussoudis’ case has been moved from the Circuit Tribunal to the High Court because of the gravity of the offence.

It said the docket on the case had been critically studied and appropriate charges would be preferred against him when he appears before the High Court. Once the appropriate charges have been brought against him, the source said, Soussoudis would be committed to stand trial. It said, “We have completed everything in connection with the case and once the courts begin sitting, he would be committed to stand trail. On why the case was being moved to the High Court, the source said the offence is very grave and pointed out that it would be appropriate if the High Court handled the case.

It would be recalled that Michael Soussoudis appeared before in Accra Circuit Tribunal chaired by Mr Imoro Ziblim on February 25, 2001, accused of illegal possession of weapons. According to the prosecution, a significant number of arms and ammunitions were found at the Labone residence of Soussoudis during a police swoop.

This was after a two-week ultimatum given by the government on February 6, 2001, requesting all those in possession of unlicensed arms to hand them over to the security agencies had elapsed.