Sherry Ayittey Trial: Defence Counsel Grills Popeler

The Prosecution witness and former Managing Director of Ghana Rubber Estate Limited (GREL), Mr. Etienne Marie Arthur Popeler, continuing his evidence in chief at the on-going Sherry Ayittey trial at the Fast Track Court, said that he connived with one Mr. Asante, 1st witness and Dr.

Banarfo, a business man to falsify the accounts of GREL and made away a substantial amount of money through the issuance of false invoices.

Led in evidence by counsel for 1st accused, Mr. Quarshie Idun, Popeler told the court presided over by Mr. J. C. Amonoo-Monney yesterday that he could not immediately provide the total amount of money they were able to siphon from the accounts of GREL adding that he is prepared to give the exact amount involved today after he had made reference to documents in his possession.

Continuing, Popeler maintained that he gave some amount of money falsely withdrawn from the account of GREL to Asante.

The 51-year-old former Managing Director of GREL in cross-examination to the court said he has four children, two from his previous marriage in France in which divorce procedures are not yet completed and two from a present marriage with a Ghanaian bar operator in Takoradi with whom he is presently living since 1989.

He, however, submitted that he sent about a $1,000 each a month to his two children in the University in France.

According to him, since he lost his job, he has been putting up with his wife in her house in Takoradi, which she started building since 1990 and still under construction adding that he gives her assistance in the construction of the building.

Furthermore Popeler revealed that he had got investment in the bar his wife is operating.

Counsel for Sherry Ayittey, submitted a front page of Dispatch publication dated 18-24th May 2001 which contains publications on monies given out to some officials of the former government in connection with GREL.

According to Idun, that was the first time he ever heard of Popeler and further demanded that the prosecution witness react to the publication.

Popeler, in his reaction, told the court that, some aspects of the said publication are false so he made a report to the police where he made several statements.

The defence counsel further asked the prosecution witness to identify the errors in the said publication in the Dispatch.

To this end, the presiding judge then demanded that if possible the person who filed the said story be made to testify before the court.

The defence counsel further submitted before the court that the prosecution made all relevant documents available to the defence if it would aid them.

In this respect, the Principal State Attorney, Mr. Anthony Gyambiby standing on a point of order, told the court that the defence is not entitled to reports or documents made by the prosecution witness in accordance to Act 268 (4) of proceedings in court.

Sitting was adjourned to today.