NDC sympathizer suspects foul play in trials of ex-gov’t appointees

A lawyer and sympathizer of the National Democratic Congress is questioning the choice of judge selected to adjudicate cases involving former government appointees accused of causing financial loss to the state. David Annan believes too many cases have been referred to the same commercial court and to the same judge when other courts and judges are available. In an interview with Joy News’ Dzifa Bampoh, the lawyer said there are six fast track high courts and other commercial courts in the country and wondered why one particular court and judge has been selected consistently to hear cases involving past government officials. He however did not mention the name of the judge nor impugn the appointee authority, even though evidence thereof is not far-fetched. David Annan was responding to allegations of political witch hunting by some NPP sympathizers as four of its high ranking members have been hauled before court to answer charges of stealing and causing financial loss to the state in the case of the Ghana International Airlines. The four are before an Accra Fast Track High Court presided over by Justice Bright Mensah. Mike Ocquaye a lawyer and member of the NPP accused government of hastily hauling its political opponents to the law court without following proper procedures of law. For instance, he said government failed to officially charge and serve writs of summons to the accused persons in the Ghana International Airline saga, but somehow expected them to appear in court based on media reports. And when they failed, the state prosecutor accused them of running away from justice. This he said is unacceptable, adding, if you have not been officially charged, how do you know which court to appear and which charges your lawyers will mount a defence on? he quizzed. But David Annan said the arguments by Ocquaye are completely out of place. He stated that the police had made several efforts to contact the accused persons and to charge them accordingly but were given wrong information about their whereabouts. If anything, the accused persons are guilty of deceit of public officials, he said. He was not happy with the choice of judge selected to sit on the matter and did not fail to register his protest. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com