Raymond Archer Jumps into the Fray to settle old scores with Woyome!
The controversial €21million Euros CAN2008 judgment debt saga, rumps into its third week seeing a new twist, and emerging stars in the thriller which has already left a sour taste in the mouth of many audience who happen to be following the story at close range.
Until yesterday, it was the frivolous incursion by unbridled Member of Parliament for Assin North, Kennedy Agyapong, into the payment of the GHC 42 billion judgment debts, to a business magnate and NDC stalwart, Alfred Agbesi Woyome, which sparked a row between key NPP players and some NDC functionaries.
Whilst the unguided MP, went berserk; accusing government of dolling out money unduly to Mr. Woyome amidst abusive attack on the latter, fingers had begun to point to the architects of the baffling actions and inactions, which might have led to the state losing a ransom, in the name of judgment debt.
Ex-President Agyekum Kufuor, his Chief of Staff, Kojo Mpiani, former deputy minister for Sports, O.B Amoah, Chairman of CAN2008 LOC, Dr. Kofi Amoah aka Citizen Kofi, Kweku Agyeman Manu, Deputy Minister for Finance under NPP and a host of Kufuor’s bench men, have been named to face a probe that would unravel the mystery behind the abrogation of contracts that had been awarded after a seven month bidding process.
Ahead of a planned press conference today, by the NPP Minority in Parliament, to stifle the airwaves and divert attention from their complexity in the revolving saga, some elements of the NDC who have developed a skulking interest in the raging controversy over the CAN 2008 stadia construction and renovation contract award, have been stage managing personal attack on Mr. Alfred Woyome, in what could best be described as a power-game.
Interestingly, is the involvement of Raymond Archer, ace investigative Journalist and Editor-in-Chief of the celebrated Enquirer newspaper, who the Republic has learnt has a personal score to settle with the NDC stalwart and his former financier and friend Alfred Woyome.
Igniting a scornful fire on Radio Gold morning show yesterday, with a banner headline “Mpiani Wades in Woyome’s GHC 42m Scandal”. The Enquirer had given indication that, the issues about the alleged scandal in the payment of the judgment were more than the eyes have already seen. “Key actors within the Enquirer who are witnesses to the genesis of this cash scandal, are also predicting that there will be three casualties and feathers will be ruffled within the NDC”, the enquirer disclosed.
Also waiting on the sidelines, in what may turn to be too much action, for just one month of the action year, is Mr. Tony Lithur, a renowned lawyer with strong ties with the NDC, Mr. Ray Smith and wife, Directors of Mpowerpak Ghana and some unseen hands in the ruling NDC, whose unrestricted power fight within the NDC knows no boundary.
When Raymond Archer was called in to respond to his newspaper’s publication, he took a swipe at Alfred Woyome, whom he is battling in court over the ownership of The Enquirer Newspaper; accusing him of stealing monies, which belonged to his partners and operators of the Austrian Consulate in Ghana.
In his respond, Raymond Archer did not hide his animosity with the former Honorary Consular of the Austrian Consulate, as he opened old wounds and threatened to ditch and expose Alfred Woyome.
The Republic can bet that, the drama between one time friends, may open a can-of-worms that would be too stinky, not only for the players and cheerers, but may leave indelible scars on some personalities.
It was clear from Raymond Archer’s submission, which the runners of the Austrian Consulate are prepared to also join the battle, as it is alleged that several meetings have been going on among the Austrian couples on one side, Raymond Archer and Tony Lithur, also a staunch member of the NDC on the other.
It has been confirmed that, both Raymond Archer and Tony Lithur work with the Mpowerpak Directors who are also claiming equities in the GHc42m judgment debt awarded to Alfred Agbesi Woyome.
The Duo, have outstanding issues with Mr. Alfred Woyome, over several issues including the pending court case over the ownership of the Enquirer newspaper.
Tony Lithur, strangely is a lawyer to Raymond Archer and MPowerpak in a case in which Woyome has dragged Inter-Continental Bank to court on a matter which has a political under-tone.
The Republic has learnt that on the evening of Sunday Dec. 18th, there had been a random text messaging spree between Alfred Woyome and Raymond Archer.
Raymond Archer told Radio Gold’s Alhassan Suhini on the show that, Alfred Woyome had to pay Mpowerpak from the judgment debt, he took from the government.
But in a rebuttal Alfred Woyome disclosed that he has paid US $1.5million dollars to Mpowpak; being fees he owed them during the sourcing of the €1.2 billion Euros credit facility to the government of government for which Tony Lithur has made claims for interest.
He also alleged that Mpowerpak owes him a US $1milliom dollar he transferred to them to undertake operations in the interest of WOFA 5 years ago which they failed to account for
Raymond Archer who first sent the text message to Alfred Woyome’s phone, threatened to expose Alfred Woyome on grounds that the latter had gossiped about him (Raymond Archer).
According to a close NDC source, the development between Alfred Woyome and Raymond Archer has adverse repercussion for the ruling party, if not addressed immediately.
Below are the text messages sent by Raymond Archer to his onetime Godfather, Alfred Woyome on Sunday 18th December 2011.
The Text messages (unedited)
Raymond Acher: “I have just been told what you have been going round saying about me. About how you introduced me America, and how you are the one taking care of my children, and how I wanted to plant use some
police to plant cocaine on you. Between you and I , there is the truth, now, I am pissed. I have kept my cool because I have been busy. I hhave the time now. I swear that I will deal with all your nonsense. I think you are mentally crazy. because of you am coming back to write and I will tell the whole story now, so that the truth will be out there. Trust me, I have had enough of your stupidity. If I didn't introduce Alexandria to you, would you have ever travelled to the USA in your life. Now you say you introduced me to the Americans? You and that your idiotic lawyer actually say I forged Babanawo's signature? For what? What has that man got that I need?”
Response by Alfred Woyome @ 15:53pm.
I hope you know what you are doing? I do not want to be in a contempt of court. You can choose to be. I will pass on this text to all concerned.
Raymond Archer: B/. Sunday, December 18, 2011 @ 16; 14pm
I will tell the truth. You Alfred Woyome is the one saying all these rubbish about me?. I swear, from tomorrow, I will start and trust me, I am starting my case tomorrow. You Woyome cannot say thank you to me? Rather you peddling lies about me. I have kept quiet all these years because I have my sensitive friends and I didn't want to engage you because I felt people would think that when I fall out with my friends, I destroy them, but I have had enough. You open your mouth and say that I forged signatures of not any important man than Babanawo? I will deal with you and your nonsense. I will report to work morrow but God bless us all.
Response by Alfred Woyome @ 16:21pm: Go ahead. I will not respond. You will be in contempt of the court. Time will tell and it always.
Raymond Archer
Raymond Archer: Sunday, December 18, 2011@ 17:13pm D/. Sunday
“0.K let's roll, starting slowly by morrow. Telling people stories about me sending messages to your wife about you? I have never had a phone number to that your wife, rather I saved your crooked ass from shame with you and Shirly's scandal, December 18, 2011@ 18:35and ending up in trouble with my wife. If I wanted to do you in, I would have exposed you to them. Why can't you be straight for once? Telling people stories about me sending messages to your wife about you? I have never had a phone number to that your wife, rather I saved your crooked ass from shame with you and Shirly's scandal”
