News:
March 12, 2015
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Okaikoi North Constituency, Patrick Boamah has suggested that the Attorney General (AG) appeals the ruling on the Alfred Woyome case.
Alfred Woyome who was standing trial on two counts of causing financial loss to the state and defrauding by false pretense was acquitted and discharged by an Accra High Court on Thursday on both counts.
Mr. Boamah who is also a lawyer said the State and the Attorney General represents every Ghanaian “and I think they must look at the judgment, take a critical look at it, try and appeal the decision and get a good outcome on appeal.”
Woyome was paid GHC 51 million what for a job he did for the government ahead of the 2008 African Cup of Nations which was hosted in Ghana.
According to the prosecution, Woyome put in false claims by stating that he was entitled to the amount because the government had abrogated a contract for the construction of stadia for the AFCON Africa, when according to the prosecution, there was no such contract.
But the case which lasted for over two years and had generated huge public interest came to a close on Thursday after the Judge, Justice Ajet-Nasam freed him.
But reacting to the ruling, Mr. Boamah told Citi News’ Richard Dela Sky that Woyome was freed because the “prosecution ought to have done a good job by proving all the ingredients in the offences that they charged Mr. Woyome with.”
He however acknowledged that the ruling was given after “the court looked at the evidence before it.”
But he was quick to add that if the state feels strongly against the decision of the judge, they can appeal against the decision of the judge.”
Ghanaians must accept the ruling
Meanwhile, the MP North Dayi, George Loh advised Ghanaians to accept the ruling because “if the court in its opinion thinks he hasn’t committed any crime, so be it…so I think that we should respect the decision.”
According to him, “the Judge heard both parties, he applied the law the way he understands it and as we stand here, until and unless the state decides to appeal, that decision stands. Nobody can do anything about it.”
Mr Loh who is also a lawyer opined that he does not in any way see the ruling “as a blow. Justice must be seen to be done…Justice Ajet-Nasam is firmly convinced that Woyome should go and walk free and that is what he has done.”
citifmonline.com