A Fast Track Court (FTC) in Accra on Wednesday adjourned to May 13, a case in which a former Chief Executive of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Mr Tsatsu Tsikata is charged with wilfully causing financial loss of 2.3 billion cedis to the state.
The FTC, presided over by an Appeal Court Judge sitting as a High Court judge, Mrs. Justice Henrietta Abban on April 19, this year granted a motion for a stay of proceedings, which was tabled by the accused person's counsel, Professor E.V.O. Dankwa. The "stay of proceedings" contained in the interlocutory appeal filed on March 28, this year, and granted by the FTC was to enable Tsikata to pursue an appeal at the Court of Appeal.
Tsikata, who is also charged with another count of intentionally misapplying public property, contrary to Section 1(2) of the Public Property Protection Decree 1977 (SMCD140), has denied the charges. The court has admitted him to a 700 million-cedi self-recognisance bail. When the case was mentioned today, the accused was present but the trial judge pointed out that it is proper to stay proceedings, till the determination of the appeal which is pending before the Court of Appeal and therefore adjourned proceedings.
Arguing the motion for stay of proceedings earlier, Professor Dankwa drew the attention of the court, particularly to paragraph four, five and six of the supporting affidavit saying that important matters have been raised. Tsikata has filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal to challenge the FTC's ruling asking him to open his defence in the case.
He is seeking a relief from the Court of Appeal to quash that decision and order and also to uphold his submission of "no case." He said the judge, in calling on him to enter a defence, erred when it was clear from the evidence adduced by the prosecution that none of the ingredients of the alleged offences had been established.
The Prosecution Team comprised Ms. Gloria Akuffo, Deputy Attorney-General, Mr. Osafo Sampong, Director Public Prosecution, Mr. Augustine Obour, Assistant State Attorney. The court was virtually empty.
