FTC fixes October 27 for Tsikata's judgement

Accra, July 21, GNA - An Accra Fast Track Court (FTC) on Thursday fixed October 27 2006 for the final determination of the case in which Tsatsu Tsikata, a Former Chief Executive of Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), is alleged to have caused a financial loss of 2.3 billion cedis to the State.
The trial judge, Mrs Justice Henrietta Abban, an Appeal Court Judge sitting on the case as a High Court Judge, announced the date after hearing addresses of the Prosecution and the Defence to close their cases.
Tsikata is charged with three counts of wilfully causing financial loss of about 2.3 billion cedis to the State through a loan he guaranteed for Valley Farms, a private concern, on behalf of the GNPC. The accused is also charged with misapplying public property. Mrs Justice Abban admitted him to a self-recognizance bail after he had pleaded not guilty.
Tsikata's trial started in October 2002.
During the trial, the Court called two witnesses, the Defence called one witness and the Prosecution called nine witnesses. In all there were 82 court sittings in the trial at the FTC, while there were other appeals at the Court of Appeal and reviews at the Supreme Court.
Though the FTC announced a firm date for judgement there is another appeal to be determined by the Appeal Court (Criminal Division of the FTC) on Monday, July 24.
Prof. Emmanuel V.O. Dankwa (leading counsel) and Major Rowland S. Agbenato (rtd) are representing Tsikata, while Mrs Gertrude Aikins, Chief State Attorney and Mr Augustines Obour, State Attorney, are appearing for the Republic.