International Tobacco Ghana case still in court

Mr Larry Fiifi Yankson, Assistant Commissioner for the Customs Exercise and Preventive Service (CEPS), has explained to the Judgement Debt Commission that though some payment had been made to the International Tobacco Ghana (ITG), ‘some aspects of the case’ were still in court.

He said though judgement on the case was entered in January 2004 and payment of more than Ghc 4 million was made to ITG in 2009, the case was not over as some ‘aspects’ were still in court.

He noted that although the payment was made by the Ministry of Finance upon the advice of the then Attorney- General, Betty Mould Iddrisu, the A-G failed to officially notify CEPS, which was a chief party in the case.

When asked to produce any document which CEPS had in connection with the case to Justice Yaw Apau, the Sole Commissioner, Mr Yankson failed to do so with the explanation that the case was still before the court.

Justice Apau reminded Mr Yankson that the Commission was not a trial court, but it was only mandated to conduct investigation, hence the need to furnish it with all documentation which would make its work easier.

Mr Yankson promised to provide the Sole Commissioner with all documentation on the matter, in the custody of CEPS at a later date.

The ITG in 2004 took the CEPS to court to seek redress on the sale of its trademark to Meridian Tobacco, another company and the seizure and auctioning of its properties by then PNDC government.

The properties included the company’s headquarters, two bungalows and another estate at Boukrom in Kumasi.

The court in 2009 ruled in favour of ITG and ordered CEPS to compensate the company by paying them accrued rent and compensation in three tranches as prescribed by the Lands Valuations Board.

Mrs Lesley Dodoo, Director of Legal Affairs, Public Procurement Board, also appeared before the Commission.

She said the Public Procurement Authority (PPA), did not have any documentation covering the award of contract to Margins Group Limited, Margins IG Systems and Indolin Company Limited, for the production of one million walled calendars for the celebration of Ghana @50.

Although the PPA Board did not agree to the appearance of Mrs Dodoo before the Commission, Justice Apau made it known that the Commission would call on her to assist when the need arose.