Tribunal Decision on BOG Case on April 23

An Accra Regional Tribunal hearing the Bank of Ghana's (BOG's) financial scandal would on Monday, April 23 take a definite stand on the case.

On that day, the tribunal will decide whether to continue with the case or transfer it to another court.

Mr Justice Isaac Duose, Chairman of the three-member tribunal, who announced this at its sitting on Monday, said this has become necessary because like all other cases, the tribunal would ensure that the case is heard to its logical conclusion.

He, therefore, urged counsel for both the prosecution and the defendant to get their witnesses ready to facilitate a speedy trial.

The tribunal is trying two former top officials of BOG for their alleged involvement in a 7-billion-cedi scandal that hit the bank on November 26, 1999.

Mr Sebastian Gavor, Director, Budget and Accounts Department and Justice Ofosu Larbi, Deputy Director, Banking Department, are alleged to have connived with one Hajia Baby Ocansey in defrauding the bank of the said amount.

LIn the course of the trial, BOG fired the two former bankers and when their counsel drew the tribunal's attention to the action, it ordered the bank to interdict the two officials or else it would be cited for contempt.

The bank filed an application for a stay of execution of the tribunal's order at the Court of Appeal, which was granted.

Not satisfied with the ruling, Gavor took the matter up at the Supreme Court and lost. Consequently, the Supreme Court ordered that the case should be returned to the Regional Tribunal, where it originated.

When the case was called on Monday, none of the prosecution witnesses was in court, and it had to be adjourned.

This is about the third time that the case has to be adjourned after its sojourn at the higher courts and its return to its original home about a couple of months ago.

The two former bankers are alleged to have authorised the payment of a fake bank draft, which Hajia Ocansey presented on that fateful day.

Alhaji Sidiq Gimala, businessman and Head of the Wangara Community in Accra, is jointly charged with the two bankers. All three have pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to steal and stealing and are on bail.