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General News of Monday, 17 November 2003

Source: GNA

My client has no case to answer - Lithur

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Accra, Nov. 17, GNA - Mr Tony Lithur, Defence Counsel in the Ghana Rubber Estates Limited (GREL) divestiture case on Monday, prayed an Accra Fast Track High Court hearing the matter to acquit his client since she had no case to answer.

Counsel submitted that the Prosecution had not led any concrete evidence to prove that his client had committed any offence in GREL's privatisation to warrant her to open her defence.

Lithur's client, Sati Dorcas Ocran, Housewife, is standing trial with three others for their alleged involvement in corrupt practices in the course of the divestiture of the company.

The three are; Hanny Sherry Ayittey, Treasurer of the 31st December Women's Movement (DWM), Emmanuel Amuzu Agbodo, former Executive Secretary of the Divestiture Implementation Committee (DIC) and Ralph Casely-Hayford, Businessman.

They have all denied their various charges of corruption, and the trial judge, Mr Justice J. C. Amonoo-Monney, Appeal Court Judge with an additional responsibility on the case as a High Court Judge has granted each of them a self-recognisance bail.

Mr Lithur told the court that his client was charged for collaborating with a public office holder to indulge in corruption.

Counsel said the Prosecution had woefully failed to prove that his client benefited from an offer from Societe Industrielle Plantation Hevea (SIPH) to the tune of 20 million cedis in connection with GREL's privatisation programme.

He submitted that the evidence of the first three Prosecution Witnesses was a concocted and fabricated one aimed at covering up their misdeeds so as to implicate his client.

Mr Lithur told the court that his client never received any 20 million cedis, which the Prosecution Witnesses allegedly described as "funeral donation" in the course of GREL's divestiture.

Counsel, therefore, prayed the court to uphold his submission of "no case" against his client, and consequently acquit and discharge her for lack of evidence.

Further hearing continues on Tuesday, November 18.