Rawlings disappointed in State over Woyome's acquittal (audio)

Former President Jerry John Rawlings has expressed disappointment in the state over the acquittal and discharge of business man Alfred Agbesi Woyome.

A visibly angry Mr Rawlings who spoke in the Ga language said on Thursday afternoon that the state’s inability to sentence “the thief” was because “some of our brothers who are in government and collaborated with him were not produced for interrogation to provide vital evidence that will show that Woyome is a thief.”

The former President mentioned the likes of former Attorney General, Mrs Betty Mould Iddrisu and “someone” at the AG’s office who were supposed to be pursued were not.

At the AG’s office, those who were supposed to be pursued were not and we claim we are fighting corruption. We are not serious, we are not serious, Mr Rawlings said.

He said all of them have hurriedly gone to take positions in the party to protect themselves and we are also voting for them blindly. Are we fools? Are we so stupid?” Mr Rawlings wondered angrily.

Mr Rawlings used the occasion to comment on the Woyome matter when the family of one Isaac Tetteh called on him at his office in Accra.

Mr Woyome was Thursday morning acquitted and discharged by the High Court on two counts of defrauding by false pretence and causing financial loss to the state.

The court, presided over by Mr Justice John Ajet-Nasam, said the state failed to prove he fraudulently obtained GH¢51.2 million. 

According to Graphiconline’s Mabel Aku Baneseh, the presiding Judge took on the prosecution for failing to call former Attorney-General, Mrs Betty Mould Iddrisu, Rex Magnus Danquah, Ebo Barton Odro, Paul Asimenu, Samuel Nerquaye-Tetteh and others who all had given written opinion that Woyome was entitled to the claim. 

Listen to former President Rawlings : {mp3}Rawlings_on_woyome_case.mp3{/mp3}