Godwin Attram spared the inside of Police cells

A 10-million bail bond imposed on Godwin Attram, ex-player of Accra Great Olympics for expressing his unwillingness to testify before the Gbadegbe Commission of Inquiry, has being revoked after an apology.

The Commission, probing international transfer of players, asked Attram to sign the bond at its sitting after the player had presented a letter stating his unwillingness to testify before it. Attram was also asked to appear before the Commission on September eight but it was revoked when his father apologized and withdrew the letter. Attram said in his letter that he has no problem with Olympics and therefore did not want to appear before the Commission adding that he did not want anything publicity as it would jeopardize his attempts of going back to Holland to continue his professional football.

Mr. Gbadegbe said the Commission accepted the apology in order not to ruin the player's chances of continuing his football career abroad and also not to scare others who might have some vital information for the Commission. Attram, who was transferred to PSV Eindhoven in 1997, has not been able to return to Holland since December last year because his stay there was not regularized.

Mr. Gbadegbe said Attram and another ex-Olympics player, Awuley Quaye Jnr, who is indisposed, have been summoned to appear and they have no right to refuse the Commission's request or they would be punished. He said, after sitting in camera with the player and his parents, the Commission realized that Attram was either ill advised or was being intimidated to stop him from testifying. Attram, who seemed to be ignorant of the work and powers of the Commission, admitted that he was advised to write the letter by a cousin who was also at the sitting.

Mr. Gbadegbe warned that the Commission would not hesitate to cause the arrest of anyone who would refuse summons to appear before it. He said Awuley Quaye Jnr, who was served with the summons, sent a letter, dated August 31, that he was down with malaria and ordered him to appear before the Commission today, September third.

Both Mr. Ade Coker, Chairman of Olympics and Mr. Paul Nkansah, a representative of the club's supporters union, who were expected to appear before the commission failed to turn up. Mr. Akoto Ampaw, Counsel for Mr. Nkansah, who was present could not give reasons for his client's absence. Sitting continues.