Prosecution, defence close cases in Quality Grain trial

Defence counsel in the Quality Grain trial involving two former ministers and three officials of the former government have closed their cases at an Accra Fast Track Court (FTC) presided over by Mr. Justice Dixon Kwame Afreh, a Supreme Court Judge who sat as a High Court Judge.

Mr. Kwaku Baah, Counsel for the third accused person, Kwame Peprah, former Finance Minister told the court that he did not consider it necessary to call any witness.

He also rescinded his decision to show a video clip on the Aveyime Project and said he had closed his case.

Mr. Samuel Cudjoe, counsel for the first accused person, Ibrahim Adam, former Minister for Food and Agriculture, who indicated to the court at the last sitting that he intended to put into the box a witness from Tamale, also failed to do so. The rest of the defence counsels associated themselves with Mr. Kwaku Baah, when they also announced that they had closed their cases.

They are Nene Amegatcher, representing the second accused, Samuel Dapaah, former Chief Director, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Mr. D. O. Lamptey, representing the fourth accused, George Sipa Yankey, former Director, legal sector, private and financial institutions divisions, Ministry of Finance and Nana Adjei Ampofo, counsel for the fifth accused, Nana Ato Dadzie, former Chief of Staff.

Adam, Dapaah, Peprah, Yankey and Dadzie are being tried for wilfully causing financial loss to the state. They have all denied the charges and are currently on a self-recognisance bail each.

The court granted application by the defence team to submit their written addresses on Wednesday, November 27, while the prosecution led by Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Osafo Sampong would be expected to submit his replies within two weeks after the addresses.

The case was rescheduled to December 18 to enable both the defence and prosecution to receive further directions and explanations as necessary, and to hear a date for judgment.