Cheque tendered in evidence in Banka chief trial
The original cheque issued to the Chief of Banka, Nana Osaberima Twiampomah III, who is standing trial for allegedly stealing $150,000 belonging to his people has been tendered inevidence at the High Court.
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Mr Wallace Bruce-Cathline, a witness in the case, who tendered in the exhibit, also presented the original receipt signed by the chief testifying that he had received the said amount on behalf of the people.
“I, Nana Osaberima Twiampomah III, have received a Stanbic Bank Cheque No. 534403 in the sum of US$150,000 from Gulf Coast Resources Limited for and on behalf of the Banka people, its chiefs and elders. This sum of money being the company’s contribution towards the development of the Banka Community”.
The accused and his lawyer, after examining the two documents, did not object to their being tendered in evidence.
Led in evidence by Chief State Attorney, Mr Matthew Amponsah, the witness told the court that he had presented the Stanbic Bank cheque to the accused on June 14, 2011, to be withdrawn at the Airport City branch of the bank.
Counsel for the accused, Mr Richard Bobbison, however, asked the witness during cross-examination whether he was aware that a deal had existed between the Managing Director of Gulf Coast Resources Limited, Mr Asare Quansah, and the accused.
The deal, he said, was that he (Mr Asare Quansah) should be paid $50,000 from the $150,000 when he had successfully impressed upon the company to pay him the amount and that Mr Quansah was peeved when the accused failed to pay him the money, resulting in Mr Quansah accusing the chief of the crime.
To this, the witness responded, “I would not know”.
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Hearing of the case resumes on Monday, April 20, 2015.
Charge
Fifty-two-year-old Nana Twiampomah has been charged with stealing, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
He is on bail in the sum of GH¢50,000 with a surety to be justified and under bond not to travel, pending the determination of the case. He has also deposited a title deed worth $150,000 at the court.
Gulf Coast Resources, a mining company, paid the said amount to the people of Banka for the town’s development following 10 years of the company’s mining activities in the area
Background
According to the prosecution, in 2000, Gulf Coast Resources Limited (GCRL) acquired a mining lease for a period of 10 years from the Minerals Commission to mine gold on Banka lands.
Following a renewal of the lease in 2011, GCRL negotiated with the accused and the people of Banka, during which the company promised to pay $150,000 to the community for its development.
After the mining lease was renewed, GCRL paid the agreed amount and subsequently transferred its rights to another mining company, Banka Gold Limited.
Payment
The prosecution further indicated that, GCRL settled the amount with Stanbic Bank cheque number 534403 on June 14, 2011. It was received and acknowledged by Nana Twiampomah, who issued a signed receipt on June 14, 2011 but he accused failed to inform his people after he received the money.
In spite of several demands by the people concerning the payment, Nana Twiampomah denied receipt of the money.
In his statement to the police, Nana Twiampomah said the money he received was for his personal use and not for the community and added that he used part of it to defray the cost of his legal suit against GCRL.
Writer’s email: victor.kwawukume@graphic.com.gh