Cross-examination on Judges murder postponed

Accra, June 15, GNA - The National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) on Tuesday said the cross-examination of Corporal Matthew Adabuga; Superintendent William Oduro and Mr Chris Asher by Captain Kojo Tsikata (rtd) and Mr Tsatsu Tsikata scheduled for Wednesday has been postponed. The Tsikatas were billed to cross-examine the three, all resident abroad, who had in their evidence before the Commission accused them of complicity in the murder of the three High Court Judges and an Army officer on June 30, 1982.

A statement signed by Mr Mohammed Affum, Acting Director of Public Affairs of the Commission, said it "has received communication from Norway-based Cpl Adabuga, who is resident in Oslo, Norway, that he is currently writing examinations and will not be able to travel to Ghana for the cross-examination until sometime after June 23, 2004. "Under the circumstance, the Commission has rescheduled the cross- examination for Monday, July 5, 2004 subject to confirmation by Cpl Adabuga, the statement said.

The statement said with respect to Supt Oduro and Mr Asher they had also advised the Commission that they would not be able to attend the cross-examination as scheduled.

It said Supt. Oduro cited exhaustion of leave days from his employers to make another trip to Ghana for the purpose of testifying before the Commission.

The statement said the Commission had accordingly notified Capt. Tsikata and Mr Tsatsu Tsikata of these latest developments.

It said the Commission had further informed Capt. Tsikata that it would give him the opportunity to respond to allegations against him by Supt. Oduro and Cpl. Adabuga on July 5 should he wished to do so.

"Similarly, the Commission has written to Mr Tsatsu Tsikata asking him to confirm in writing if he would like to testify in response to the allegations made against him by Mr Chris Asher, notwithstanding the absence of Mr. Asher."

The Statement said in another development, Major John Awuakye (rtd) had notified the Commission that he would not be able to attend the hearing on Monday, June 21, to be cross-examined by Mr Kwamena Ahwoi. It said Maj. Awuakye had complained against his alleged ill-treatment and unlawful release from the Ghana Armed Forces by Mr. Ahwoi.

The statement said Major Awuakye in his notification, said when he appeared before the Commission on November 14, last year, Mr. Ahwoi declined to avail himself of the opportunity to appear before it to cross-examine him when he (Awuakye) testified.

Major Awuakye further stated that he had already exhausted his leave days on three previous trips to Ghana and that his employers had declined his request for additional leave days.

He however, "expressed willingness to assist the Commission further by filling out a questionnaire should the Commission so require him".