[ 2012-05-22 ]

Supreme Court throws out bungalow case against Jake (Updated)
The Supreme Court has thrown out the case of
conflict of interest brought against New Patriotic
Chairman Jake Obetsebi Lamptey by two members of
government.

Deputy Information Minister Samuel Okudzeto
Ablakwah and the Deputy Sports Minister Dr Omane
Boamah sued the NPP Chair for allegedly attempting
to buy a government bungalow he occupied as a
minister of Tourism.

They accused the NPP Chair of abusing his office
by grabbing a public property for his personal
aggrandizement and prayed the court to stop any
attempt by Jake Lamptey to acquire the property.

But by a 6-3 majority decision, the Supreme Court
ruled in favour of the respondent.

The court argued that the plaintiffs failed to
prove the conflict of interest allegation it
leveled against Jake Obetsebi Lamptey.

Joy News' Anny Osabutey reported that one of the
judges, Justice J.S. Brobbey as saying the verdict
should not be misconstrued as condoning the
practice by which public officers exploit their
official positions for private gain.

He would rather the property was given to the
medical association for development as offices but
was quick to add that allegations of conflict of
interest and corruption against any public officer
ought to be proven beyond all reasonable doubt.

Both Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Omane Boamah were
in court and were not the least enthused by the
ruling, Osabutey noted.

The NPP Chair was also present and relaxed but
showed no emotion.

It is not clear if the plaintiffs will go for a
judicial review of the decision.

Source - Joy News

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