The first prosecution witness in the controversial judgment debt saga involving National Democratic Congress financier Alfred Woyome has pointed to former Attorney General Betty Mould Iddrisu as having issued orders for the payment of GHC51 million to be made to Mr Woyome.
Mangua Ghanney, a lawyer at the Finance Ministry told the Commercial Division of the Fast Track High Court, Tuesday, she received a letter from Betty Mould directing the ministry to pay 22 million Euros to Woyome.
Joy News’ Sammy Darko who was present in court reported Ghanney as saying Betty Mould’s directive for payment came without a contract.
She, therefore, sent a memo to the Finance Minister in respect of the directive from the A-G, prior to submitting it to treasury for payment.
According to Ghanney, Treasury had difficulties in paying because there were two people - Woyome and Ostro Invest all seeking to be paid the amount.
She said she had to travel and, therefore, could not say if the said amount was paid and to whom it was paid.
Ghanney said on her return, she received another letter from Betty, this time with a default judgement insisting that Woyome be paid 51 million cedis.
She together with Woyome went to the budget officer asking for payment, with Woyome insisting to be paid all the 51 million cedis at a go, a request the budget officer said was impossible.
They, therefore, reached an agreement for the amount to be paid in three installments, with Woyome again insisting if they defaulted he would ask for interest to be paid to him.
Ghanney was emphatic that all the 51 million cedis was paid to Woyome.
Counsel for the defendant, Safo Buabeng was initially reluctant in cross-examining the witness, seeking rather to speak to his client, Woyome, before proceeding but the Judge insisted that the cross-examination must go on.
He, therefore, asked the witness if she was privy to a civil court ruling directing that Woyome be paid 17 million cedis in three installments.
Ghanney denied knowledge of such a ruling.
The case has been adjourned to June 14, 2012.
Source: myjoyonline.com
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