Tsatsu's lawyers write to Attorney-General

Lawyers of former Chief Executive of the GNPC, Tsatsu Tsikata have written to the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Nana Akufo-Addo, demanding a copy of the final report of the forensic audit into the stewardship of Tsikata.

In a letter from Azinyo Chambers on the Kwame Nkrumah Avenue in Accra, dated March 9, Professor EVO Dankwah, lead counsel for Tsatsu Tsikata has requested the Attorney - General and Minister of Justice to "use your good offices to enable our client have the promised copy of the forensic audit report as soon as possible." The letter also requests that Tsatsu Tsikata should be furnished "not only with copies of the final report, but also any interim or draft reports on the forensic." According to the letter, though Tsatsu Tsikata asked the Police for a copy of the forensic audit report on February 12, 2002, he has not received it although the Police informed him that it would be made available to him. The letter stated that "since it has become apparent from proceedings in the court on Friday, 7th March, 2002 that the charge against Mr. Tsikata arose out of a forensic audit that has been undertaken at the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, which my client was Chief Executive of, it is appropriate that he receive a copy of the forensic report as soon as possible." Professor Dankwa's letter also pointed out that when Tsatsu was questioned by the Police in November last year in connection with certain charges against him, he was not told that the charges arose out of the forensic audit. However, Professor Dankwa noted that when Tsatsu Tsikata was charged before the circuit Tribunal on November 30, 2001, the Prosecutor in stating the facts of the case claimed that the charge was a result of the forensic audit. He also pointed out that when Tsatsu was subsequently charged before the High Court, it was stated by he Director of Public Prosecutions that the charges arose out of the forensic report. Professor Dankwa's letter also points out that though Tsatsu Tsikata has never been furnished with the forensic audit report and was at no time asked any questions by the auditors, various media houses have published detailed accusations against him which they claim is based on the forensic audit. "They have even 'convicted' my client based on what is claimed to be in the forensic report. This is most unfair and I would hope that you will ensure my client's access to this forensic audit report before any further steps in this matter are instituted against him" the letter stated. Professor Dankwa's letter also reminded the Attorney General that " the interests of justice which we are all seeking to serve will only be advanced if we avoid the kind of haste that is being exhibited in connection with this case." He had earlier in the letter drawn the Attorney General's attention to the fact that at the "...hearing before the High Court on 1st March, I counselled for an approach in handling this matter as reflected in the traditional proverb: ... if you take time to dissect the ant you will be able to find its liver" In a telephone chat with Nana Akuffo-Addo yesterday, he confirmed receipt of the letter from Tsatsu Tsikata's lawyers and said it is being studied.