Defence Team prays for long adjournment at FTC

The defence team for five accused persons in the Quality Grain Company Limited case, on Monday, prayed the Fast Track Court (FTC) to adjourn the case for one month, until reasons for an appeal the defence lodged had been given.

The defence team had earlier gone to the Appeal Court to ask for a stay of execution of proceedings, which was ruled against them and the court was expected to give its reasons.

The cross-examination of George Sipa Agyare Yankey, former Director of the Legal Sector, Private and Institutions Division of the Ministry of Finance, by Mr Osafo Sampong, Director of Public Prosecution, was suspended.

According to the defence, it wanted the Supreme Court that declared the Fast Track Court unconstitutional, to also come out with its reasons, before healthy proceedings could go on.

The defence referred to the " 5 - 4 " decision returned by the Supreme Court last Thursday, to support its case, saying the reasons could enhance its case.

Kwame Peprah, former Minister of Finance, Ibrahim Adam, former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Ato Dadzie, former Chief of Staff, Samuel Dapaah, former Chief Director at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and Yankey, have been accused of conspiracy and wilfully causing financial loss to the State.

The five are alleged to have played different roles in the scandal that resulted in the loss to the State of more than 20 million dollars.

They have all pleaded not guilty to the charges and the court presided over by Mr Justice Kwame Afreh, an Appeal Court Judge, sitting as an additional High Court Judge, had granted each of them a self-recognisance bail. The court adjourned the case to Monday, April 8.