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The Accra Fast Track High Court today resumed the hearing in the criminal matter involving a former Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, and seven others over the award of contract for renovation works at the ministry. However, proceedings could not continue because one of the defence lawyers, Mr Atta Akyea was not present to continue with the cross-examination of the sixth prosecution witness. Consequently, the court, adjourned the matter to July 27, 2012, to enable counsel to continue with the cross-examination. When the case was called, one of the lead counsels, Mr Augustines Obuor indicated that the matter could not be heard in view of the fact that the Court of Appeal had not given its reasons for dismissing an application for stay of proceeedings pending the outcome of an appeal he had filed against the Fast Track High Court�s ruling that the law mandated Chief State Attorneys to retire at age 65. Counsel relied on the Court of Appeal rules but his prayer was rejected by the trial judge, Mr Justice Charles Quist, who asked the prosecution to call their next witness. Although the witness was available a lawyer who held brief for Mr Akyea said he was not in a position to do the cross-examination and following that the case was adjourned. The Court of Appeal last week dismissed an application which sought to stay proceedings in the matter brought after counsel for two of the accused persons, Mr Obour, filed an application for stay of proceedings pending the outcome of an appeal he had filed against the Fast Track High Court�s ruling that the law mandated Chief State Attorneys to retire at age 65. However, in a unanimous decision, the court dismissed the application to stay proceedings but deferred its reasons to October 18, 2012. Asamoah-Boateng, his wife, Zuleika, and seven others have been charged with conspiracy to defraud the state. The others are Kofi Asamoah-Boateng, a former Director of Finance at the Ministry of Information and National Orientation; Frank Agyekum, a former Deputy Minister of Information and National Orientation; Dominic A. Y. Sampong, a former acting Chief Director at the Ministry of Information and National Orientation; Kwabena Denkyira, a Deputy Director of Finance and Administration of the ministry; Prosper Arku of Supreme Procurement Agencies Limited and Yasmine Domua, a businesswoman. Also in court is Supreme Procurement Agencies Limited, an entity. The accused persons are alleged to have conspired to defraud the state of GH�86,915.85 in renovation works undertaken at the Ministerial Block of the ministry during Asamoah-Boateng�s tenure of office. They have all pleaded not guilty and been admitted to GH�10,000 bail each with a surety.