Nii Ayikoi Otoo, Fmr Attorney General
A former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Nii Ayikoi Otoo has charged the current Attorney General and Minister for Justice, to head to the Supreme Court for appeal if the AG is dissatisfied with an Appeal Court ruling clearing businessman Alfred Woyome of any criminality in the celebrated Ghs51 million case.
He says the Attorney General of Ghana, being the chief legal advisor to the Ghanaian government, has every right to appeal the ruling which to him can clear all their doubts and give the final decision.
The court of Appeal on Thursday dismissed an application before it challenging the High Court’s acquittal of Woyome as far as criminal charges against him, in connection with the payment of GHS51.2 million by the state to him, were concerned.
At Thursday’s hearing, a three-member panel dismissed the appeal by the State because prosecutors failed to establish the criminal charges levelled against Mr Woyome.
The Appeals court judges were also of the opinion that all the grounds upon which state prosecutors are accusing Mr. Woyome of causing financial loss to the State fails before them.
The judges added that the claim by the State that Mr. Woyome did not have a contract with the government of Ghana was not substantial in finding the accused person guilty.
Mr Woyome was paid the GHS51.2 million after he sued the state over an alleged breach of a purported contract between him and the Government. In connection with the termination of the same alleged contract, foreign construction firm, Waterville Holdings BVI, was also paid €25 million.
Mr. Ayikoi Otoo in an interview said bringing the matter before the highest court of the land will help bring closure.
“Though I have not gotten the time to read the full judgment, the only advice I will give to the state is that if it feels uncomfortable, it should proceed to the highest court which is the Supreme Court in order to put to rest the issue.
“Why should we continue talking when there is a court that can prove right or wrong? The fact that he was found not guilty in these courts doesn’t mean you cannot appeal” he asserted.
