Court adjourns Tsikata's case

Accra, July 7, GNA - An Accra Fast Track Court on Friday adjourned to Monday, July 10, the case in which Tsatsu Tsikata, a former Chief Executive of Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), is charged with causing financial loss to the State.

The prosecution, led by Mr Joe Ghartey, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, was expected to continue his address on Friday, but he was absent.

The Attorney-General on July 5 addressed the court on the ingredients of the first three counts, which are causing financial loss to the state and misapplying public property, and indicated that he would address the court on evidence.

Tsikata is charged with three counts of wilfully causing financial loss of about 2.3 billion cedis to the state through a loan he, on behalf of the GNPC, guaranteed for Valley Farms.

The accused is also charged with misapplying public property. The trial judge, Mrs Justice Henrietta Abban, an Appeal Court Judge, sitting as a High Court Judge, has admitted him to a self-recognisance bail. Tsikata has denied the charges. The defence had earlier told the court that on the basis of evidence before it, none of ingredients of the offences, however defined, was established and that the prosecution had woefully failed to discharge the burden of proof.

The defence therefore called on the FTC to acquit Tsikata, because the prosecution had failed to prove the charges levelled against him. The defence argued that the prosecution was engaged in sheer travesty of justice.

Other members of the prosecution team are Madam Gertrude Aikins, Chief State Attorney, Mr Augustines Obour, State Attorney and while Prof. Emmanuel V.O. Dankwa (Leading Counsel) and Major Rowland S. Agbenato(rtd) are appearing for the accused.