Prosecution responds to Tsikata's submission

Accra, Jan. 30, GNA - A Fast Track Court in Accra trying Tsatsu Tsikata, former Chief Executive of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, for allegedly causing the loss of more than 2.3 billion cedis to the state, on Thursday adjourned the case to February 11.

The prosecution asked for the adjournment to enable it sufficient time to be able to reply to a "no Case" submission Tiskata's counsel made to the court at the close their case.

Mr. Augustines Obour, Assistant State Attorney, told the court presided over by Mrs. Justice Henrietta Abban, an Appeal Court Judge, sitting as an additional High Court Judge, that the prosecution received records of the proceedings late and therefore, needed enough time to study it. Mr. Obuo! r then prayed the court for the adjournment on which date prosecution would reply to a submission of "no case" by Professor Emmanuel Dankwa and Major R. S. Agbenotoh (Rtd), Tiskata's counsel.

Tsikata is charged with four counts of wilfully causing financial loss to the state and intentionally misapplying public property. He has denied the charges and the court, has admitted him to a 700 million-cedis self-recognisance bail.

Counsel had submitted, "It is our submission that the prosecution has woefully failed to prove all charges levelled against us."

Quoting Article 19, Clause five of the Constitution to support their case, Counsel pointed out that, "A person shall not be charged with or held to be guilty of a criminal offence which is founded on an Act or Omission that did not at that time take place and constitute an offence". Counsel therefore, pray ed the court to acquit and discharge their client.

The Prosecution Team includes Ms. Gloria Akuffo, Deputy Attorney-General, Mr. Osafo Sampong, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and Mr. Anthony Gyambiby, Principal State Attorney.