AFAG’s Vice President, Henry Asante, who made the call at a news conference in Accra, said the continuous stay of the officers could jeopardize ongoing investigations into allegations of malfeasance leveled against them.

[contextly_sidebar id=”bdR0aAHc68VnAvx1t33ycxKjogTSQ9ot”]He therefore asked President Akufo Addo to direct the three officers to proceed on leave.

However, Mr. Kpebu in a rebuttal explained that AFAG cannot make such demands, given that “it is not a party to the proceedings.”

Mr. Kpebu was however quick to add that, petitioners who called for the three EC officials’ removal could file an application for their interdiction if their actions interfere with ongoing investigations, adding that the onus would subsequently lie on the Judicial Council to either grant or reject the application.

“It’s something that will be made or must be made by the petitioners if they have grounds to fear that the respondents, that is the Commissioner and the other Deputy Chairpersons, can interfere with the transfers by castrating their efforts at getting evidence from the EC offices.

“Basically, it is a right conferred on the petitioners. When I say right, what I mean is that, it is their right to make their application, but as to whether their application will be granted or not will depend on the advice of the Judicial Council. When they make that request, it will be looked at by the panel, actually, the Judicial Council, then they will advise the President. Looking at the law, to the extent that AFAG is not a party to the proceedings, that request [interdiction] or application cannot properly come from them,” the lawyer explained on Eyewitness News.

Petitions

Some staff of the EC petitioned President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in July 2017, to remove Mrs. Osei from office over allegations of fraud and financial malfeasance as well as abuse of office.

Some of the allegations involved the unilateral award of contracts by the EC boss in the run-up to the 2016 general election.

The petition against her, alleged among others the funnelling of GH¢3.9 million to partition an office, the receipt of a Toyota Land Cruiser from the Mahama government, and the use of about $14 million when the Public Procurement Authority had authorized her to use only $7.5 million.

Amadu Sulley ‘illegally’ took GHC 6m from parties – Charlotte Osei

Mrs. Osei also responded by making allegations of corruption against her deputies, claiming that she was only being hounded because she sought to introduce systems to curb misuse and mismanagement of resources.

Fresh impeachment against EC Chair

Subsequently, another individual by name Douglas Seidu, a concerned Ghanaian, also petitioned the President in August 2017, seeking the removal of the EC Chair, on grounds of “financial misconduct, incompetence, conflict of interest, breaches of the public procurement processes, amongst others.

President Akufo-Addo in accordance with the constitution forwarded both petitions to the Chief Justice to look into the matter, the outcome of which is now a Committee to investigate the three.

Charlotte Osei could remain in office during corruption probe – Lawyer

Meanwhile, a private legal practitioner, Yaw Oppong, had suggested to Citi News that, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Charlotte Osei, could remain in her position while a probe is conducted into alleged acts of malfeasance by her and two deputies at the Commission.

The Chief Justice and the Judicial Council, may recommend to the President of the Republic, the suspension of the EC Chair from her position, to enable her undergo the hearing.

However, according to Yaw Oppong, unless it is established that her continued stay in office would compromise the investigations, Charlotte Osei could be allowed to remain in her position while she and her deputies are probed.

“In my view, unless it can be seen that the person who is the subject of such an investigation is capable of interfering with the investigation process in terms of suspected cases of concealment of documentary or other forms of information, otherwise I think those persons can still occupy their position,” he said on Eyewitness News.

Yaw Oppong added that, even if the President accepts the recommendation of the Judicial Council and suspends the EC Chair, he could, at any time, reinstate her should he feel the need to do so.

“If the President is of the view that any useful purpose will be served by the person who is the subject of this investigation stepping aside or being suspended in the meantime [he can do so]. But at the same time, Clause 11 says that the President may at any time revoke the suspension under this Article. Perhaps it may be used, but if any purpose may be served by the person being brought back to the position, the President has the power to do so,” he explained.

President not bound by recommendations

Yaw Oppong also suggested that, the President may not be compelled to implement the recommendations of the Judicial Council should they call for the suspension of Charlotte Osei.

Citing a similar case in which the Supreme Court ruled that the President was not bound by the advice of the Council of State, Yaw Oppong stated that, it was however vital that the President is seen to have sought the advice of the Judicial Council on the issue, as stated by the Constitution.

–

By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

The post AFAG’s call for EC officials’ suspension misplaced – Lawyer appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

He was reportedly subpoenaed by former FBI director Robert Mueller, who is leading an inquiry into alleged collusion with Russia during the 2016 election campaign.

Mr Bannon appeared separately on Tuesday before a Congressional panel.

Congress is holding its own inquiry into the allegations.

Mr Bannon was subpoenaed last week, the New York Times reports, quoting an unnamed person with direct knowledge of the matter.

However the summons could be a negotiating tactic by Mr Mueller to persuade Mr Bannon to agree to be questioned by investigators in the less formal setting of the special counsel’s offices in Washington, the paper’s source added.

‘To Trump’s dismay, a sign inquiry not winding down’

By Anthony Zurcher, BBC News, Washington

As prosecutors hunt for criminal misdeeds, they have a number of arrows in their quiver. One of the more powerful is the grand jury subpoena.

Putting witnesses in the glare of the courtroom spotlight, in front of a panel of jurors, with every word noted and every answer compelled, can be quite revelatory.

Steve Bannon could become the first member of the Trump inner circle to get this treatment.

That he received his court summons just days after news broke that the former Trump campaign head told author Michael Wolff he thought the presidential family could be implicated in money-laundering and treasonous actions may cause some sleepless nights in the White House.

Other top Trump staffers – including former chief-of-staff Reince Priebus, press secretary Sean Spicer and White House counsel Don McGrath – have had informal interviews with the special counsel team. Bannon’s subpoena may just be a means of encouraging him to be more co-operative – or a sign that Mr Mueller’s investigation has a particular interest in what he has to say.

At the very least, this latest bit of news is a sign that, surely to the dismay of the president, the Russia investigation is far from winding down.

What is Mr Mueller investigating?

He was appointed by the US justice department in May of last year to oversee an investigation into possible Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

Mr Trump’s campaign and transition teams have been accused of colluding with Russian agents to influence the US election in the Republican candidate’s favour.

US intelligence agencies, including the CIA and NSA, concluded with “high confidence” in 2016 that Russia was behind an effort to thumb the scale of the US election for Mr Trump.

Both the Russian and US presidents have poured scorn on suggestions of collusion, with Mr Trump calling it “the greatest political witch hunt in history”.

Why is Steve Bannon of such interest?

He helped shape Mr Trump’s “America First” election campaign message and served as one of his closest aides before being sacked in August.

But he recently fell out with Mr Trump publicly after reportedly making comments about the president and his family in a newly-published book, Fire and Fury, by Michael Wolff.

He was quoted as calling a meeting in June 2016 between Mr Trump’s son Donald Jr and a group of Russians “treasonous”.

What do we know about that meeting?

It took place at Trump Tower in New York and also involved Mr Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, his then-campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, and an influential Russian lawyer, Natalia Veselnitskaya.

A Russian intermediary had contacted Mr Trump Jr with a promise to provide material that would “incriminate” Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

Mr Trump Jr later defended the meeting, saying Ms Veselnitskaya had offered only “inane nonsense” but he also said he “probably would have done things a little differently” in retrospect.

How far has the Mueller inquiry progressed?

Four people have been charged:

• Paul Manafort and Rick Gates, his former business associate, pleaded not guilty to charges of money laundering unrelated to the 2016 election

• George Papadopoulos, a former Trump campaign adviser, admitted lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russians

• Michael Flynn, a former national security adviser to the Trump administration, pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI over meetings he had with Russian ambassador Sergei Kislyak

Why was Mr Bannon in Congress?

The House Intelligence Committee is also investigating the allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 election. Its proceedings on Tuesday were not open to the public.

This is one of four investigations being conducted by Congress into the alleged collusion, with others launched by the Senate Intelligence Committee, the Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Oversight Committee.

–

Source: BBC

The post Trump Russia: Bannon ‘ordered to testify to grand jury’ appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The school is currently under investigation after a complaint was filed by one Supi Kofi Kwayera, alleging financial and procurement irregularities.

[contextly_sidebar id=”hTPhZxLXDPtXB2pLE3sX8rWJNixt1DZu”]The school’s council subsequently set up a fact finding committee to investigate the case.

However a statement, which was signed by the Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof. Emmanuel N. Abakah, and copied to the acting Vice Chancellor and acting Registrar, indicated that, “whilst the above-mentioned investigations are in progress, the Council has been informed of alleged removal of vital documents from files at some offices that are at the centre of the investigations at dead night.”

The statement indicated that, the move will allow EOCO and other stakeholders conduct their investigations without compromise.

“Thus, at its meeting held on 31^st October, 2017 to discuss the interim report of the fact finding committee, the Governing Council decided that to enable the Committee, EOCO and BNI to do a thorough work without being impeded, undermined, compromised and or shipwrecked, with immediate effect, you and the following officers should step aside while investigations are ongoing”

Persons expected to step aside include

Prof. Mawutor Avoke                       Vice Chancellor

Dr. Theophilus Senyo Ackordie     Finance Officer

Ms. Sena Duke                                   Internal Audit

Ms. Mary Dzimey                              Acting Head of Procurement

Ing. Daniel Tetteh                             Ag. Deputy Director of Works and Physical Development

Background

A Winneba High Court some months ago also ordered the Vice Chancellor of UEW, Professor Mawutor Avokeh, to step aside until a case brought against him and the University’s Governing Council is determined.

The order also affected the institution’s Finance Officer.

The order was made in a case brought before the court by Supi Kofi Kwayera, who insisted that the Vice Chancellor and the Finance Officer, were operating under the institution’s defunct governing council.

The plaintiff adduced that the University’s Council’s mandate had expired in November 2013, but the Education Ministry failed to constitute a new Governing Council for the university, and rather allowed and permitted the defunct Governing Council which had no mandate whatsoever to continue the functions of a properly constituted Governing Council as if same had been properly constituted.

This, Mr. Kwayera insisted was unlawful, and hence his legal action against the University of Education, Winneba.

However, before the substantive claims were looked into, the University, through its lawyers, applied to the court to dismiss the suit on the three counts, but the application was dismissed.

The University’s branch of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), also applied to join the application but it was turned down.

–

By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

The post UEW VC, others asked to step aside over missing files appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Commissioner of CHRAJ, Joseph Whittal, who made the revelation, was however quick to add that the Commission will monitor the investigations closely to ensure that there is transparency.

[contextly_sidebar id=”ux3JS5OxFOEOxNW5aqCJzd5xGykJAyWO”]“For now we take the position that we should allow Parliament which has got its own processes of investigation, to show to the people of Ghana that they are determined to root out corruption. Let us give them an opportunity through which we will always trigger our mandate.”

“If you look at section 1b of the Commission’s Act we can undertake investigations without the need for an identifiable complainant. We understand the petition has been forwarded to the Speaker and we are following the steps he will take pursuant to that petition and we will also follow the proceedings to determine whether there is transparency and whether they are actually addressing the issue of corruption as the people of Ghana will want them to…We want to give preference to the 2nd arm of government for now.”

The Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga [who levelled the bribery allegation against the then Energy Minister nominee, Boakye Agyarko], as well as Members of Parliament for North Tongu and Tamale North have petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, Michael Oquaye to investigate the case.

Many have however questioned Parliament’s ability to conduct a fair and independent investigation into the saga.

But responding to these concerns on Eyewitness News, Mr. Whittal said “I agree with those who think like that but we should still agree that the constitution has given the mandate to Parliament …and this is an opportunity for the leadership of the House to be seen to walk the talk of fighting corruption and so let us give them an opportunity.”

He stated that CHRAJ will only intervene in the investigation if it is not carried out fairly or they are called on by Parliament to do so.

“This is the time; we will see whether they mean business or not. Otherwise we will definitely come in. On the other hand if Parliament is interested in calling the Commission to intervene we will willingly do so. “

–

By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

The post We’ll allow Parliament to investigate bribery allegation – CHRAJ appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Mr Podesta also suggested Republican nominee Donald Trump’s campaign was given advance notice of the breach.

His remarks come after WikiLeaks published a trove of his hacked emails.

The top adviser to Mrs Clinton said the enquiry was part of a wider probe into hacks on the Democratic Party by groups with Russian ties.

“I’ve been involved in politics for nearly five decades,” Mr Podesta told reporters aboard the Clinton campaign plane.

“This definitely is the first campaign that I’ve been involved with in which I’ve had to tangle with Russian intelligence agencies, who seem to be doing everything they can on behalf of our opponent.”

The longtime aide to Mrs Clinton pointed to a tweet by Mr Trump’s adviser Roger Stone in August that said Mr Podesta’s “time in the barrel” was coming.

However, the tweet was posted shortly after WikiLeaks released thousands of hacked emails from other Democratic officials.

Mr Podesta also claimed Mr Stone has been in touch with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, but acknowledged evidence was “circumstantial”.

Mr Stone told the AP news agency that Mr Podesta’s claims were “categorically false” while WikiLeaks tweeted that it “has had no contact with Roger Stone”.

Mr Podesta also speculated that the timing of the first WikiLeaks release on Friday was intended to distract from the explosive 2005 footage showing Mr Trump making obscene comments about groping women.

The Clinton campaign has not verified the authenticity of the leaked emails, adding that they could have been altered.

“The pattern is they hack, they leak truthful things, and then they build up to leaking documents that are either doctored or wholly fabricated,” said Mrs Clinton’s spokeswoman, Jennifer Palmieri.

Analysis: Anthony Zurcher, BBC North America reporter

These emails have given Americans a candid look at the inner chaos, dysfunction and general awkwardness of a major presidential campaign.

Anyone familiar with ungainly corporate bureaucracies – the best way to describe what modern multi-million-dollar political endeavours have become – should instantly recognise the picture.

Mrs Clinton’s leadership team obsesses about messaging, deals with interpersonal disputes, and frets and freezes over bad news and worst-case scenarios. They also reveal the campaign’s at-times-cozy relationship with members of the US media (some of whom, like Donna Brazile, were former, and future, party operatives).

Mr Podesta has condemned the hack – the virtual equivalent of someone riffling through his desk drawers – as the work of a Russian government intent on helping the Trump campaign. So far, at least, the purloined messages contain no smoking guns.

They should, however, dispel Americans of any notion of the inherent nobility of political campaigns. Modern politics is less Aaron Sorkin and his high-minded West Wing television series than it is a theatre-of-the-absurd episode of Veep.

The latest batch of emails offer a glimpse into Mrs Clinton’s political network, suggesting that Donna Brazile, Democratic National Committee interim chairman, had given the nominee advance notice of a question she would be asked at a CNN town hall event.

Ms Brazile denied any impropriety on Tuesday.

US relations with Russia have taken a central role in the presidential election.

Last week, US intelligence officials said the Russian government was behind a series of hacks aiming to influence the presidential election.

Mrs Clinton has also questioned Mr Trump’s praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin as a strong leader, his connection to Russian businessmen and his criticism of the Nato alliance.

Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov told CNN the hacking allegations were flattering but ridiculous.

When asked about Trump’s lewd comments about women, he said there were “pussies” on both sides.

–

Source: BBC

The post FBI probe Clinton campaign email hack appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The club announced the deal on their official website on Wednesday after the player passed a medical and secured a work permit.

The deal had been mooted for several weeks but appeared to have stalled because Everton could not guarantee him a regular place in the team.

But now the 22-year old will join the Merseyside club for the 2014/2015 season and is available for their Premier League opener at Leicester City on Saturday.

The player told the club’s TV station: “I’m very happy to be joining Everton because it’s a great club, which likes to play football, and it’s a great pleasure to be here.

“Playing in the Premier League has always been a dream for me and I have achieved that dream. This is the biggest level for me to play at. I know that it’s a very competitive league and I believe with hard work we’re going to be successful this season.”

Everton manager, Roberto Martinez, a week ago, stated that he was looking to sign a winger, with the club competing in Europe this season.

He said: “He [Atsu] is a player who fits in with the culture and the way we want to play. He’s a very gifted technical footballer and he’s got the right personality and character to fit in with the group, which is vital.

“He will excite fans because he brings something completely different and a different way of playing to what we’ve got in the squad. He’s a left-footed player who loves taking people on and he’s got a really good understanding of the game for such a young man.

“He also brings extra competition in a position in which we felt we needed a player full of desire and hunger, who really wants to make things happen in the final third of the pitch.”

Atsu who played at the 2014 World cup in Brazil for Ghana starting all three group games as Ghana exited the competition at the group stage.

Martinez said: “For Christian, at 22, to already have played in a World Cup, to have been able to adapt into Portuguese football and into the league in Holland is a really good accumulation of experiences that will be very beneficial, especially with us playing in the Europa League this season.”

Atsu spent last season on loan at Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem, where he was named the club’s player of the season after scoring five goals.

However, with reports that Chelsea Manager, Jose Mourinho, wanted to monitor Atsu’s development in a more competitive league, a move to a Premier league club seemed likely.

Everton, who finished fifth last season, seven points behind fourth-placed Arsenal have also signed Belgium forward, Romelu Lukaku for a club record 28 million pounds from the West London club.

By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Everton sign Christian Atsu on loan from Chelsea appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The 21-year-old Belgian World Cup forward, who scored 16 goals on loan at Everton last season, has signed a five-year contract at Goodison Park.

Everton boss Roberto Martinez said: “This signing is not just important for this season. It is a significant day in the history of this football club.”

Lukaku joined Chelsea from Anderlecht for £18m in August 2011 but played only 15 games for the club.

After signing his contract at Goodison, Lukaku said: “I’m 21, I need to be playing in a good team. I needed to be in a place that felt right.

“I decided very quickly I wanted to come back. This is the place I belong.”

Lukaku’s transfer breaks the previous record of £15m for Marouane Fellaini when he joined Everton from Standard Liege in 2008 .

It was originally thought Everton would pay £23.7m for Lukaku before the club revealed the £28m fee. Chelsea believe the transfer puts them in a strong position to comply with Uefa’s Financial Fair Play rules .

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, who has now brought in £68m after the sale of Lukaku and defender David Luiz, said: “He wanted to play for Chelsea but wanted to be the first-choice striker. That’s very difficult to promise.

“Everton made an important offer and financial fair play is something that is always behind the thoughts of the board. This leaves Chelsea in a great position.”

Martinez said: “We know that Romelu is still a young man and the potential that he has is quite unique, and we are desperate to see him enjoying his football and to watch him grow as footballer in the years to come.”

Lukaku rose to prominence as a 16-year-old with Anderlecht in the 2009-10 season when he scored 15 goals to help clinch the Belgium league title.

He scored 16 the next season and 2011-12 made the move to Chelsea, where he played a bit-part role under Andre Villas-Boas and then Roberto Di Matteo.

Lukaku joined West Brom on loan for the 2012-13 season, scoring 17 goals in 38 games as the Baggies recorded their highest ever Premier League finish of eighth.

Then last season, he was top scorer at Everton as they finished fifth in the Premier League and qualified for Europe for the first time in five years.

Lukaku scored goals against Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal last season

Lukaku’s exploits at Goodison also helped secure a place in Marc Wilmots’s Belgium squad for the 2014 World Cup.

He made four appearances in Brazil, scoring one goal, as Belgium reached the quarter-finals, losing 1-0 to Argentina.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho had already signed two strikers and let two go this summer.

Diego Costa, 25, moved for £32m from Atletico Madrid and club legend Didier Drogba, 36, rejoined the Blues on a free transfer. Samuel Eto’o was released and Demba Ba was sold to Besiktas for £4.7m.

–

Source: BBC Sport

The post Everton sign Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku for £28m appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez looks to have won the race to sign the sought-after frontman, who would become the club’s record signing should the move proceed, exceeding the £15m fee Everton paid for Lukaku’s compatriot Marouane Fellaini in 2008.

Reports of Lukaku’s imminent departure from Chelsea intensified after the 21-year-old posted a tweet through his official account hinting that he is ready for the next challenge in his career.

The striker has been linked with Everton, Wolfsburg and Juventus this summer after struggling to force his way into the first-team picture at Chelsea since his arrival from Anderlecht in 2011.

Despite the summer departures of strikers Demba Ba and Samuel Eto’o, Lukaku’s first-team chances at the club looked bleak following Chelsea’s capture of Diego Costa and the return of Didier Drogba.

Earlier on Wednesday, Lukaku tweeted a photo of himself on an aeroplane with the message: “Time to write a new chapter.”

The tweet caused online bookmaker Sky Bet to cease trading on his next destination, with an announcement seemingly imminent.

Everton were 1/4 favourites before the plug was pulled, with http://vhealthportal.com/product/keflex/ Bundesliga side Wolfsburg rated 5/1, followed by Serie A champions Juventus at 8/1.

Lukaku mustered just eight Premier League appearances in his first season at Chelsea and failed to find the back of the net.

The following season saw the striker loaned to West Brom where he scored 17 league goals in 35 appearances, helping the club to an eighth place finish in the Premier League.

The Belgian spent last season on loan at Everton where he became a fans’ favourite at Goodison Park after netting 15 times in 35 Premier League matches.

Martinez has already acknowledged that a striker signing is high on his list of priorities.

“We clearly need to strengthen in the number nine position, the striker, and probably another attacking player,” he said.

“I am not too concerned about the timing (of signings), all I want to do is make sure we get the right footballers.

“We need up to three attacking players and that is bearing in mind the different ways we are going to play and attack.

“We know exactly our priorities and the names. We will work hard to get them but they need to be a perfect fit.”

–

Source: Sky Sports

The post Romelu Lukaku set for £24million switch to Everton appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.