The Commercial Division of the High Court in Accra has directed five persons accused of causing financial loss of $4 million to the state to open their defence following the establishment of a prima facie case against them.
The trial judge, Mr Justice Eric Kyei Baffour held that the prosecution established a prima facie case against Eugene Baffoe-Bonnie; the former Board Chair of the National Communication Authority (NCA), William Tetteh Tevie; former Director-General of the NCA; Nana Owusu Ensaw, a former board member; Alhaji Salifu Mimina Osman, a former Deputy National Security Coordinator, and a businessman, George Derek Oppong. However, Ensaw has been discharged on four counts namely conspiracy, willfully causing financial loss to the state, using public office for profit and intentionally misapplying public property.
The various charges against the other accused persons to wit conspiracy, willfully causing financial loss to the state, using public office for profit, stealing, money laundering and intentionally misapplying public property still apply. Additionally, Ensaw is to open his defence to rebut charges of money laundering and stealing.
They are accordingly expected to open their defence on May 30, 2019.
Baffoe-Bonnie is expected to testify that day barring any hitch or decision by the defence team to appeal today’s ruling.
Citing authorities and evidence adduced in court to buttress the court’s decision, the trial judge held that the accused persons, except Oppong were public officers at the time the alleged offences were committed.
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