[ 2012-05-23 ]

Alfred Woyome

NDC 'legal team' denies holding Woyome prosecution
A member of the National Democratic Congress legal
team has vehemently dismissed allegations the team
is to blame for the continued delay in the
prosecution of businessman Alfred Woyome.

Abraham Amaliba said the NDC legal team is only a
voluntary association of lawyers who believe in
the principles of the NDC and offer advice
exclusively on issues the party is involved.

He said the legal team is not an organ of state or
of government and does not meddle in the
activities of the Attorney General and therefore
cannot be held responsible for any delays.

Amaliba was commenting on a statement issued by
the former Attorney General, Martin Amidu accusing
the NDC legal team of meddling in the affairs of
the Attorney General and dragging prosecution.

“What I fear is the so called “NDC Legal Team”
some of whose members unethically make it their
business to meddle in the professional affairs of
the office of the Attorney-General while at the
same time acting as lawyers for clients whose
interests are opposed to those of the Republic,”
the former AG said.

Amidu was unequivocal in his belief that
government will be buying time and possibly renege
on the prosecution of Woyome if the case is
adjourned again on June 4.

The Coordinator of the Centre of National Affairs,
Rocky Obeng said the suspicions by Martin Amidu
are valid.

He chronicled a number of instances and cases,
including the alleged assassination attempt on
Benjamin Kumbour, alleging persons in high
authority tampered with investigations on the said
matters.

Asked if he had evidence to show that the same
persons were interfering in the prosecution of
Woyome, Obeng explained that the continued
adjournment of the case is enough evidence that
persons in high authority are meddling in the
matter.

But in an interview with Joy News, Abraham Amaliba
said he is “shocked” by the comments and
allegations being made against the NDC legal
team.

According to him, the legal team predates the
coming into power of the Mills-led administration
and could therefore not be said to be an organ of
the government.

He said Martin Amidu is a member of the team and
has yet to denounce his membership and wondered
why he would make such an allegation about a team
he is part of.

Amaliba insisted that he as a member of the team
has not on any occasion gone to the AG’s office to
discuss any prosecutorial issue involving the
government.

He said the team only proffers legal advice to the
party and not the government and described as
hypocritical, comments that persons linked to
Woyome were also members of government which
should raise serious issues of conflict of
interest.

According to him, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko and
Nana Asante Bediatuo who are members of the NDC
were counsel for Tagor in the controversial MV
Benjamin cocaine saga at the time the NPP was in
power.

He said whilst people can be worried over delays
in the Woyome prosecution - on the premise that
justice delayed is justice denied - the same
people should also be worried that justice hurried
could lead to justice buried.

He said the Attorney General cannot be hurried
into prosecuting the case when he is not ready.

Source - MyjoyOnline

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