This follows an application by defense lawyers seeking to have the prosecution make known all witnesses they will be relying on, and also make available all the documents it intends to tender as evidence.

This was opposed to by the prosecution who argued that the request was seeking an interpretation of aspects of the Constitution, (Article 19 (2)(e) and (g)), a task that can only be performed by the Supreme Court.

[contextly_sidebar id=”8ebl6KWUwNcT6SeuM3qhKAJtOwHLLcGi”]Delivering his ruling, Justice Eric Kyei Baffuor said the issue of interpretation had arisen since lawyers on both sides disagree on the meaning of the relevant provisions, hence the need to refer the matter to the Supreme Court.

The questions expected to be addressed by the Justices of the Apex Court are whether accused persons are entitled to comprehensive trial disclosure, at what point this should be done, and whether the accused persons are entitled to all documents including those the AG may not use in court.

Background

The case in question involves the former Director General of the NCA, William Tevie and four others, who have been arraigned for alleged fraud and for causing financial loss to the state over the alleged fraudulent $6 million contract signed between the NCA and Infraloks Development Limited (IDL).

The five are said to have fraudulently withdrawn some four million dollars from NCA accounts without justification.
Reports indicate that an Israeli company, NSO Group Technology Limited was contracted to supply the surveillance equipment at the cost of $6 million, to enable National Security monitor conversations of persons believed to be engaged in terrorism.

IDL was also reportedly charging $2 million to facilitate the transaction, bringing the total sum to $8 million.

But the three, through the said contract, allegedly withdrew $4 million from the accounts of the NCA and have failed to account for it.

Only $1 million was allegedly paid into the accounts of the Israeli company.

So far, the NCA’s Director of Legal Affairs is one of the key witnesses to who has made an appearance in court.
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By: Fred Djabanor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post $4m NCA scandal: Hearing ‘suspended’ pending Supreme Court ruling appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Mr. Tevie, alongside the former board chairman, Eugene Baffoe-Bonnie; Alhaji Osman, a former Deputy National Security Coordinator; Nana Owusu, a former board member and the head of IDL, George Oppong, have been charged and arraigned for willfully causing financial loss to the State contrary to section 23(1) and section 179(3)(a) of the Criminal Offences Act 1960, Act 29.

[contextly_sidebar id=”2KYHKR1Oy2FgSRKE79TjdlWvxvIsP74E”]They have also been charged with 16 other offences.

The suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges, and were granted bail to the tune of $1 million each with 3 sureties.

They are also to surrender their passports to the court Registrar.

The five are facing trial over some $4 million withdrawn from the NCA’s accounts, purportedly for the purchase of a surveillance equipment.

Reports indicate that an Israeli company, NSO Group Technology Limited was contracted to supply the surveillance equipment at the cost of $6 million, to enable National Security monitor conversations of persons believed to be engaged in terrorism.

IDL was also reportedly charging $2 million to facilitate the transaction, bringing the total sum to $8 million.

But the three, through the said contract, allegedly withdrew $4 million from the accounts of the NCA and have failed to account for it.

But only $1 million was paid into the accounts of the Israeli company.

IDL’s denial

Mr. Oppong, for one, has previously denied conniving with the said officials to loot state money, arguing that the contract was genuine.

He also said the equipment was lying unused in the garage of some former officials of the NCA

Mr. Oppong explained that, after being awarded the $8 million contract from the NCA, IDL also contracted NSO Group Technologies Limited – an Israeli company, for the supply and installation of the equipment in which the Israeli company was to receive about $6 million of the total sum.

He added that IDL received a $4 million (out of $8 million) as the first tranche of payment from NCA, adding that they also forwarded about $3 million of the amount to NSO to enable them supply the facility.

According to him, all the parties involved in the deal subsequently signed an undertaking with the Bank of Ghana following the huge sums of money involved.

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By: Fred Djabanor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Former NCA boss, 4 others charged with causing financial loss appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.