GFA demands Ade Coker's arrest

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has demanded the immediate arrest of Joseph Ade Coker, former Vice-Chairman of the Association, for issuing a dud cheque to the football-controlling body in the sum of $50,000 (?380 million).

Ade Coker, former Chairman of Great Olympics Football Club, was said to have issued the cheque fraudulently, aware that there was inadequate funds in the account to cover the payment. The payment of the money was recommended by the Justice Sule Gbadebe Commission of Inquiry into the International Transfer of Players and Related Matters, which the government accepted as contained in the White Paper issued in May 2000.

The Gbadegbe Commission accused Ade Coker for under-declaring the contract sum involving the transfer of Richard Kingston as $90,000 instead of $150,000. The club, therefore, incurred criminal liability under Section 139 of the Companies Code, Act 179, hence the recommendation for the payment of the money.

At an Executive Council meeting of the GFA, held last week, the Statesman learnt that members were furious over the criminality of the former Olympic boss for issuing the dud cheque. A resolution was unanimously passed seeking the immediate arrest of Ade Coker, who now runs A.C. Olympiakos, a First Division Club.

In addition, the GFA has set up a committee to recommend appropriate sanctions to be taken against the Olympiakos’ boss for flouting the rules of the game by committing acts “unbecoming of his status.” The rain cheque, the Statesman learnt, was issued two years ago but attempts to get Ade Coker to replace it proved futile.

In another development, the GFA Executive Council has asked the controversial Bayern Munich Ghanaian international, Samuel Osei Kuffour, to substantiate the allegation of embezzlement leveled against the Association.

Kuffour was reportedly said to have accused the GFA members of embezzling money made available by the sports kits giant Adidas, as part of the sponsorship deal for the Mali 2002 African Cup of Nations.

Sources close to the Association told The Statesman that Kuffour’s allegation has embarrassed the members and therefore threatening legal action if he either fails to substantiate or withdraw the allegation.

The members of the football governing body agreed that a famous world-class footballer such as Kuffour making such a serious allegation speaks volumes and that the GFA should investigate it and institute appropriate action.