An Accra high court has deferred its ruling on whether or not the statement of the former chairman of the National Communications Authority (NCA), Eugene Baffoe-Bonnie, should be admitted in the ongoing case that involves an illegal contract signed between the NCA and Infraloks Development Limited (IDL).
The case in question involves the former Director General of the NCA, William Tevie and four others including Mr. Baffoe Bonie, have been arraigned for alleged fraud and for causing financial loss to the state over the alleged fraudulent $6 million contract signed between the NCA and Infraloks Development Limited (IDL).
But at a mini trial today, the lawyer for the defendants sought to clarify that the first accused person was forced by one Detective Inspector Nkrumah, to write multiple statements.
The detective has however refuted the claim.
In adjourning the case, the judge tasked lawyers for both sides to present their written statements tomorrow while a ruling to allow for the hearing of the main will be given tomorrow.
The immediate past Chief Executive Officer of the National Communication Authority (NCA), William Tevie, and four others, have been put before a High Court over the alleged fraudulent $6 million contract between the NCA and Infraloks Development Limited (IDL).
Mr. Tevie, along with the former board chairman, Eugene Baffoe-Bonnie; Alhaji Osman, a former Deputy National Security Coordinator; Nana Owusu, a former board member and the head of IDL, George Oppong, have been charged and arraigned for willfully causing financial loss to the State contrary to section 23(1) and section 179(3)(a) of the Criminal Offences Act 1960, Act 29.
The release of the funds to the National Security which was not included in the 2016 budget of the NCA, was done at the blind side of the authority’s governing board and according to the report, part of the money was shared among some of the directors.
Background
The five are said to have fraudulently withdrawn some four million dollars from NCA accounts without justification.
Reports indicate that an Israeli company, NSO Group Technology Limited was contracted to supply the surveillance equipment at the cost of $6 million, to enable National Security monitor conversations of persons believed to be engaged in terrorism.
IDL was also reportedly charging $2 million to facilitate the transaction, bringing the total sum to $8 million.
But the three, through the said contract, allegedly withdrew $4 million from the accounts of the NCA and have failed to account for it.
But only $1 million was allegedly paid into the accounts of the Israeli company.
–
By: citinewsroom.com |Ghana