Akufo-Addo vowed to sacrifice me for NPP – Mallam Issa

Former Sports Minister Mallam Ali Yusif Issa has accused the flagbearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of deliberately sacrificing him after he misplaced some monies meant for the state.

According to Mallam Issa, the former Attorney General wanted him out of the Kufuor government to appease other NPP loyalists, hence his decision to prosecute him against all odds.

“When the case came up Kufuor wasn’t comfortable with me being put before court...but Akufo-Addo thought that this man doesn’t come from our party so let’s sacrifice him, he doesn’t come from within so let’s sacrifice him and get our man to be there," Mallam Issa said.

Mallam Issah, a member of the People’s National Convention (PNC) co-opted into the erstwhile NPP administration, received a four-year jail term in 2001 for failing to account for $46,000 meant as winning bonus for the senior national soccer team, the Black Stars, who were then on a national assignment in Sudan.

He was, however, granted a presidential pardon in July 2003 due to poor health.

Mallam Issah has always maintained his innocence, insisting he was framed by persons within the Kufuor administration.

In an interview on Morning Starr Tuesday, Mallam Issa told host Nii Arday Clegg that Nana Addo went ahead with his prosecution despite lack of evidence against him.

“When the judge asked that the charges he was proffering against me are they sure he [Akufo-Addo] can sustain the charges...because the judge felt that willfully causing financial loss would be appropriate...but he [Akufo Addo] stood his ground and said he will prove that the case was sustainable.

“He didn’t treat me fairly as far as this case is concerned and that is why I say that I was being sacrificed...there were state attorneys but he insisted that he was going to prosecute me as a colleague minister,” Mallam Issa added.