Be quarantined when you return from Nigeria - Court tells ex-deputy governor

State Prosecutors have asked former deputy governor of the central bank, Dr Johnson Asiama to observe a self-quarantine when he returns from his trip to Nigeria.

This call comes after the Accra High court directed the release of Dr Asiama’s passport on Thursday.

The ex-bank of Ghana deputy governor is currently on trial over accusations that he approved some ¢650 million as liquidity support for the defunct UT Bank without following statutory conditions.

Dr. Asiama has pleaded not guilty to charges filed against him and was granted in the sum of ¢60 million each with three sureties, all to be justified.

He was made to drop his passport at the courts within two days and was asked to make the court aware of his travels.

Lawyers of the ex-deputy governor on Thursday morning told the court of Dr Asiama’s intention to travel to Nigeria.

State Prosecutor, Hilda Craig, noted that her outfit is not opposed to the travel application but rather advised Dr. Asiama be cautious on return.

“In fact, we were concerned for him, but we’ve been magnanimous enough not to oppose the application.

"When he returns, we hope that his passport will be returned to the court and he should quarantine himself for some few days,” she said.

The trial judge Justice Bright Mensah also raised concerns on the covid-19 pandemic that has hit Nigeria but ruled that the Registrar of the court release the passport to Dr Asiama.

Dr Asiama has to return the passport to the registrar and also inform the Attorney General’s office upon his return to the country.