The Fast Track Court is due to rule on objections raised by counsel for Mallam Yusif Issa, former Youth and Sports Minister, against the charge of fraudulently causing financial loss to the state.
Defence Counsel, Mr Ambrose Derry, disputing the charge told the court that his client did not cause any fraudulent financial loss of 46,000 dollars to the state, saying there were no facts attached to the charge sheet. He said he accepts the essence of the fast track court but stressed that the rights of his client should not be sacrificed at the altar of speed.
Mallam Issa is also charged with stealing 46,000 dollars being bonus for the senior soccer team, the Black Stars, during a World Cup qualifier. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. The court presided over by Mr Justice Julius Ansah, Appeal Court Judge, sitting as additional judge, admitted the accused to a 500-million cedi bail. The court directed that he should deposit his land title deeds to the court’s registry and to report to the police CID three times a week.
Mr Derry submitted that since there was no action or omission in the charge leveled against his client, count two of the charge should be declared unconstitutional. He stated: “No person shall be convicted of a criminal offence, unless the offence is tried,” saying a person charged with criminal offence should be immediately informed.
Mr Derry also argued that the particulars of offence do not state any action or omission of how much got lost. “The provisions are so vague to pass the constitutional test,” he told the court.
Prosecuting, Mr Osafo Sampong, Principal State Attorney, submitted that the Fast Truck Court has no jurisdiction to interpret any portion of the law.
Source: GhanaWeb
