The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), will next Monday, begin hearing a complaint filed by the Minority Leader in Parliament, Alban Bagbin, alleging acts of malfeasance and tax evasion against President Kufuor.
Mr Bagbin filed the complaint early last year after the government announced that a Kumasi-based farmer paid 41 million cedis to cover the cost of renovation works on the President’s private residence.
Nothing was heard about the case after the initial public debate until President Kufuor himself raised the issue in a recent interview with JOY FM. The President said he responded to an inquiry from CHRAJ and was still expecting to hear from the Commission.
Two Ministers, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey and Kwamena Bartels are expected to appear before CHRAJ when hearing begins. Mr Obetsebi Lamptey was at the time of filing of the complaint, the Chief of Staff, whilst Mr Bartels was the Works and Housing Minister.
Commissioner of CHRAJ, Emile Short has confirmed serving both parties with the complaint. According to him, the Attorney General has filed statements of defence on behalf of the President and his two Ministers and copied the complainant. When contacted, Mr Bagbin said his interest in the matter is mainly to get to the bottom of the case through CHRAJ, in order to erase any doubts on the minds of Ghanaians.
