Mallam's Lawyer Slams Charges

THE LAWYER for Mallam Yusif Issah, the ex-Sports Minister standing trial for the loss of $46,000, has slammed the charges levelled against him.

The charges have been described as unconstitutional and an infringement on his fundamental human rights.

Mallam Issah was charged with two counts of stealing and fraudulently causing financial loss to the state when he first appeared before an Accra High Court two weeks ago.

His lawyer, Mr. Dery Ambrose told the court at his second appearance that the statute under which his client was charged was smuggled into the constitution in the NDC era adding that his client does not merit the charge.

Mr Osafo Sampong, Director of Public Prosecutions, who represented the State, noted that since the objection hinged on a constitutional matter, it was only the Supreme Court which can determine it.

The court, chaired by Justice Julius Ansah, an Appeal Court judge sitting as an additional High Court judge, therefore set another date after hearing submissions from both the defence and prosecution.

The first counsel for Mallam Issah, Alhaji Nuuhu Billa withdrew from the case following a disagreement he had with Mallam Issa in court.

Mallam pleaded not guilty to the charges but Alhaji Billa changed his plea to guilty arguing that the charges could be true.

The court, adhering to Mallam Issah's plea of not guilty, granted him bail in the sum of ?500 million with a surety to be justified.

The surety was ordered by the court to deposit the title deed of a landed property with the registry of the court as part of the bail bond.

Mallam Isa would also report to the head office of the Police Criminal Investigations Department on every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, until the determination of the case.

Mallam Issah cannot account for the amount of $46,000 he sent to Sudan for the payment of bonuses of players of the senior national football team, who played Sudan in a World Cup qualifier.