No Show @ Woyome Trial

The continuation of cross-examination of businessman Alfred Agbesi Woyome slated for yesterday was unable to take place because the prosecution indicated to the court presided over by Justice John Ajet-Nassam that they have not received the proceedings of the previous sittings. But, the presiding judge of the Financial Division of the High Court said the documents of the previous proceedings have long been given out by the court. Matthew Amponsah, the prosecutor told the court that the parties had agreed for the case to be adjourned to July 21, during which time they would have studied it well and prepared for the cross-examination of the witness. Prior to adjourning the case, the presiding judge indicated to the parties that the court had received the letter the witness was asked to produce from the ministry of education youth and sports when Kofi Amoah was the minister. Mr. Woyome confirmed to the court of having received the letter and tendered it as evidence. There was no objection from the prosecution. The letter was submitted by a deputy director of the ministry, Solomon Mensah. During his last day of his evidence-in-chief over the GH�51.2 million criminal case at the financial division of the fast track high court, Mr. Woyome reiterated his entitlement to claims he made against the government in 2010. He started his testimonies at the Financial Division of the High Court on May 5, 2014, after the court, presided over by Justice John Ajet-Nasam, had dismissed his submission of �no case� on April 30, 2014. Mr. Woyome told the open court that his claim, which was supported by documents, was verified by the Attorney-General�s (A-G�s) Department, the Local Organising Committee, (LOC), of CAN 2008, the Ministry of Sports, the Building Industry Consultants (BIC), among other bodies. He said the opinions of those bodies were that his claim was genuine. Responding to the state�s position that he was paid for no work done, he said, �What they are saying is incorrect. They are aware I worked and spent money for a period of four years.� Judgment debt Mr Woyome said he was paid judgement debt, which was later negotiated and filed as consent judgment. The accused person was very emotional when he said it was a court of competent jurisdiction that awarded him the GH�51.2 million judgement debt, but his lawyer, Sarfo Buabeng, and the trial judge urged him to calm down. The court overruled the state�s objection to the tendering of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Shanghai Construction Group and the government of Ghana over the construction of stadia in Takoradi and Tamale. According to the court, it would amount to injustice if it did not allow the document into evidence. Mr Woyome had sought to tender the document to prove his claim that the $18 million cost per stadia quoted by the Chinese firm in its tender bid shot up to $38.5 million in the MoU. Closing remarks In his closing remarks to the court, Mr Woyome said he worked, spent money and it was confirmed by the government, including the Presidency, and for that reason he was entitled to the claim. �There was a letter emanating from a former Chief of Staff, Kwadwo Mpiani, agreeing that they should authenticate work done by Vamed so they pay Vamed. Vamed�s work emanated from my financial engineering,� Woyome ended. Cross-examination Answering questions under cross-examination from a Chief State Attorney, Matthew Amponsah, the accused person told the court that he was a consultant, financial engineer and retired diplomat. He said he had businesses both in Ghana and the United States of America (USA) which he had been operating for the past 15 years. Hearing continues on July 21, 2014.