Amoateng?s Lawyer Denies Story

... Daily Guide Lied...
Dennis Adjei-Brenya, lawyer for the Parliamentarian facing trial in the United States on drug trafficking charges, has denied a media report that his client, Eric Amoateng, is preparing to resign.

He told our correspondent Tuesday that the news put out there by the Daily Guide was ?mere speculation.?

?I am constantly in touch with him and I can say that at the moment he has no intention to resign,? said Mr Adjei-Brenyah.

However, The Statesman has also come about information that suggests that the MP for Nkoranza North may not be too far from resigning.

This may happen before the beginning of the trial, tentatively set for June. But, the MP may be resisting the pressure since the MP status offers him some sort of psychological comfort. But the hawks are not persuaded.

The pressure, it appears, is coming from some senior members of his party, who, though they respect the fundamental principle of innocent until proven guilty by a competent court of jurisdiction, are of the opinion that the MP should still step aside for a by-election to be held.

The view is that the MP has brought the name of the New Patriotic Party into disrepute, a charge which the party constitution states can even lead to the withdrawal of membership.

The National Democratic Congress has already mobilised its electioneering machine in anticipation of a by-election.

The MP for the area was arrested six months ago, along with his co-defendant, Nii Okai Adjei.

The two were arrested at a storage house in Staten Island, New York. They are facing charges over the smuggling of 135 pounds of heroin with a street value of $6 million.

His lawyer told The Statesman Tuesday that the date of the trial is now ?in a flux.? There is a ?status conference? on Friday, May 26, where the MP?s lawyers are expected to argue their case for the state to disclose certain documents to them, which are seen as vital to the fate of the trial.

?It?s a difficult case,? the lawyer admits.

The documents relate to indications that this pending case may not be the Ghanaian lawmaker?s only brush with the authorities. His first encounter appears to have occurred in 2003, a year before the philanthropist put himself up for elections.

The first count of the indictment sheet on this charge refers to the previous case, as well: ?In or about and between December 2003 and November 12, 2005, the defendant, ERIC AMOATENG and others knowingly and intentionally conspired to import a controlled substance into the United States??

The facts, as stated on the sheet, are that ?In or about December 2003, within the Eastern District of New York and elsewhere, the defendant ERIC AMOATENG, together with others, did knowingly and intentionally import a controlled substance into the United States from a place outside thereof, which offence involved one kilogram or more of a substance containing heroin, a schedule 1 controlled substance.?

This has pushed the counts against him to eight.

?His permission from the Speaker notwithstanding, Amoateng?s long absence from the House is depriving the people of Nkoranza North their rights and privileges,? said the Public Agenda in a recent publication, carrying the sentiment of many in the country.

Tuesday, there were moves by the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment towards the disbursement of the constituency?s share of the MPs? Common Fund.

The expected question, according to the Public Agenda, is, ?who speaks for the people of Nkoranza North, and until Amoateng?s case is disposed of will they remain pathetically voiceless??

The pressure to get the arrested MP removed has been piling up. On May 18, Joseph Mensah, former Assembly Member for Manso in Nkoranza North Constituency, called for a by-election to replace Mr Amoateng.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency at Manso, Mr Mensah said the long absence of Mr Amoateng from Parliament was affecting the development of the area, as the area?s share of the Common Fund was not being utilised.

He described the MP as a leader and philanthropist who was always ready to offer support for an improvement in people?s lifestyles. Mr Mensah recalled events before the general elections in 2004, when Mr Amoateng supported a number of development programmes in the constituency.

He said the vacancy created by the MP?s absence had given rise to statements and comments from politicians in the area and called on the Speaker of Parliament to let the laws and the Standing Orders of Parliament take their course.