Tempers flare in court during cross-examination

Tempers flared at an Accra Fast Track Court (FTC) between a defence counsel and a Witness over counsel's constant suggestions to Witness on a name that appeared on a document, that was about to be tendered in evidence on Tuesday, in the on-going trial involving Sherry Ayittey and three others.

Madam Georgina Okaitei, the Seventh Prosecution Witness in the Ghana Rubber Estates Limited (GREL) Divestiture case, who was under cross-examination by Counsel, Mr. D.O. Lamptey, had repeatedly in an answer to a question, disagreed with counsel that her name was Georgina Okaitei Nunoo.

She explained that Nunoo was the surname of her four children since her former husband was called Mr Nunoo.

The court is trying four persons for their alleged involvement in corrupt practices during GREL's privatisation.

They are, Hanny Sherry Ayittey, Treasurer of the 31st December Women's Movement (DWM); Emmanuel Amuzu Agbodo, Former Executive Secretary of the Divestiture Implementation Committee; Ralph Casely-Hayford, Businessman and Sati Dorcas Ocran, Housewife.

All the four were alleged to have influenced the DIC Board to divest GREL in favour of Societe Industrielle Plantation Hevea (SIPH) and they have denied their various charges.

The Court, presided over by Mr Justice J. C. Amonoo-Monney, Appeal Court Judge, with an additional responsibility on the case as a High Court Judge, has granted each of them a self-recognisance bail. Madam Okaitei said her marriage was a customary one, saying the marriage fell on rock over 20 years now. She was emphatic that her surname was Okaitei.

When counsel suggested further to Witness that her name was Nunoo, because she signed a document, an affidavit attached to a motion, which bore the full name of Georgina Okaitei Nunoo, she stressed that her business partner had been writing the name on other documents, including receipts that acknowledged payments to him.

Madam Okaitei said her partner, Mr Jacob Larbie, who was advised to desist from using the name Nunoo for her, had earlier told her (Witness) that he was using the surname because of her children.

At this stage when Witness could no longer tolerate constant suggestions on the surname, she began to use words like "Oomale. Amalelor," meaning Mr Lamptey lied to the court.

Mr Lamptey did not take kindly to Witness' utterances and shouted on her until the Trial Judge intervened.

Justice Amonoo-Monney told Counsel that Madam Okaitei was not to be treated as an accused person and that she ought to be considered as a Witness in the case, whose assistance was being sought to bring about social justice.

When the Trial Judge asked for the views of the Prosecution, Mr Osafo Sampong, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), said: "If you do not respect the Witness, do you think she would return same?"

The case was adjourned to Thursday, May 8 for continuation.