New Twist To Mallam Issah's Case

Five days after Ex-Sports Minister, Mallam Yusif Issa, was sentenced to prison for stealing $46,000, a lawyer at the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has revealed that when the trial was ongoing, Mr. Worlanyo Agrah, General Secretary of the GFA approached him to influence counsel for the ex-minister not to cross-examine him on his foreign account.

The revelation, which analysts say is fresh evidence, which could lead to the re-opening of the case at the trial court, was dropped by the GFA Lawyer, Alhaji Amadu Tanko, in Choice FM, a private radio station in Accra.

"I remember he called me on phone and requested me to speak to Mallam Issa's defence Counsel not to question him on his foreign exchange account position, but I did not oblige to that request… I did not bring this to the knowledge of Mallam Issa's counsel because I considered it unprofessional on my part," Alhaji Amadu said in response to a question as to whether Worlanyo Agrah approached him.

Asked for his professional advice on whether the revelation which comes after the imprisonment of the ex-minister was relevant, Alhaji Amadu said even though he does not know what is on the record of proceedings, Mr. Agrah's foreign account position would be useful or would have been useful to the court.

"I have not seen the records and I don't know what other reasons the judge adduced in convicting and sentencing him, but it (the revelation) probably might go to the extent of creating some more thought as to whether or not Mallam actually stole that money," The GFA lawyer said.

He continued that Mr. Worlanyo Agrah did not, however, disclose to him the amount of money in his foreign exchange account, adding that, "I did not ask him because I didn't think it was necessary."

Pressed for his advice on what should be done, Alhaji Amadu said it was his counsel's prerogative to decide what to do.

He, however, managed to smuggle a suggestion, saying that if the Counsel has an appeal against the ruling, conviction and sentence, he could apply to the Court of Appeal for bail pending appeal.

"That is the procedure I expect Mallam's Counsel to adopt for now…The Court of Appeal may grant Mallam bail on the conditions more stringent than the conditions on which he was admitted to bail by the trial court because, at least, he has a conviction against him.

"Should this thing come up, and you are called to be a witness to this, will you offer yourself to that? Alhaji Amadu was asked. "Well … to the extent that he made a request by me, I will say yes, he spoke to me and requested me to speak to Mallam's Counsel not to cross-examine him on the position of his foreign exchange account" he answered, adding that he did not carry out his request.

In an interview today, Mr Agrah denied making the request, saying that he needed the foreign account into which his allowances as a member of CAF are paid. He added that the police committee, which probed Mallam Issah's case knew about his foreign account.

It could be recalled that the Ex-Sports Minister, Mallam Issa Yusif Ali was, last Friday, sentenced to eight years in prison with hard labour for stealing the $46,000 which represented money for allowances due the Black Stars. He was also asked to pay ?10 million for causing financial loss to the state. In addition he is to refund the $46,000 dollars.