Deputy Information Minister testifies in Asabee's case

Accra, Oct. 7, GNA - Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Deputy Minister of Information (MOI), on Thursday said a complaint was lodged against Stephen Asamoah Boateng, ex-Minister of MOI and others to the security because they did not follow due process before rehabilitating the Ministry's Ministerial Block.

According to Mr Ablakwa, the Procurement Act, which he had read, spelt out the processes that ought to be followed before contracts were awarded, but that project did not go through the tender processes. "If we do not follow due processes with regard to the Procurement Act, people will begin to award contracts to companies of their choice and the law would become useless," he told the Fast Track High Court hearing the case.

Mr Ablakwa, who was answering questions under cross-examination by Mr Augustines Obuor, defence counsel for Dominic A. Sampong, former Acting Chief Director, MOI, indicated that there were obligations that civil and public servants were to follow before contracts were awarded. He admitted that the money for payment for the project was with the Ministry's Accountant.

Earlier, led in evidence by Mr Anthony Gyambiby, Chief State Attorney, Mr Ablakwa said he came across Phlexicom Ventures when Mrs Zita Okakoi, ex-Minister of MOI, showed him and Mr James Agyenim-Boateng, a Deputy MOI, a letter from the Ministry of Finance. The letter, according to Mr Ablakwa, directed the Ministry of Finance to effect payment to Phlexicom Ventures.

Mr Ablakwa said Mrs Okaikoi expressed her displeasure because the letter had been signed on her behalf.

He said the issue concerning the letter on payment for the rehabilitation of the Ministerial block of MOI came up during a Management meeting held in June, 2009.

Mr Ablakwa said during the meeting, Sampong apologised to Mrs Okaikoi for not consulting her before writing to request for payment for the Ministry's project.

He said they noticed that the accountant of the MOI had also declined to pay for the project because he was suspicious of the contract and there were no documents on the project. "When it became clear that there were some questions that ought to be answered, Mrs Okaikoi asked me to report the case to the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI)," Mr Ablakwa said adding that he issued a statement to the BNI.

The Deputy Minister said after consulting with the AESL, it indicated that the project would have cost GH¢56,000 not GH¢86,000. Asamoah-Boateng, former Minister of Information and National Orientation, his wife, Zulieka Jennifer Lorwia and six public officers have been charged with conspiracy to defraud the State. Also in court was a non-legal entity firm, Supreme Procurement Agencies Limited.

The accused persons are alleged to have conspired to defraud the State of GH¢86,915.85 in renovation works undertaken at the Ministerial Block of the Ministry during Asamoah-Boateng's tenure of office.

Other accused persons are Frank Agyekum, former Deputy Minister of Information and National Orientation, Dominic A. Sampong, former Acting Chief Director, Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Kwabena Denkyira, former Director of Finance and Administration of the Ministry, Prosper Arku of the non-legal entity firm, and Yasmine Domua, a businesswoman.

They have all pleaded not guilty before the court presided over by Mr Justice Charles Quist.

The court has admitted them to GH¢10,000 bail each with a surety. The case was adjourned to Oct 12.