Court Orders Seizure Of Asabee�s Passport

An Accra High Court Judge, Justice Charles Quist, today ordered for the seizure of the passports of the former Information Minister, Asamoah Boateng and his wife Zuleika Jennifer Lawria Asamoah Boateng. This decision, he explained, was the result of attempts made by the two to travel outside the country when they knew they were being investigated by the BNI. Earlier, a Circuit Court in Accra had ruled for the release of his wife�s passport after it was seized at the airport some weeks ago, but Justice Quist today over turned that ruling, that, the ruling is suggested for review after two months. Asamoah Boateng appeared with eight others including Zuleika Asamoah Boateng, Kofi Asamoah Boateng, the former Director of Finance at the Ministry of Information, Dominic Yaw Sampong, the former Chief-Director at the same Ministry, Kwabena Denkyire former Deputy Director of finance and Administration, Yasmin Damoah, Prosper Ako the Director of Supreme Procurement Agency Limited, Mr Frank Agyekum, former Deputy Minister of Information and a legal company. The last three were included in the charges this morning, after counsel for government read the first list of 9 charges leveled against them. They include: attempting to defraud the state of the tune of GH�86.915 pesewas and contravening the provision of the public procurement Act. The Defence Council, headed by Nene Amegashie, could not open their defence as a result of what he calls �inadequate time given to them to read and understand the charges brought before the court.� According to counsel for government, Asamoah Boateng awarded a contract to his wife to renovate his Ministry. Justice Charles Quist granted bail with GH�10,000 surety to reappear on the 27th of August 2009.