Court discharges NPP parliamentary candidate
The Cape Coast Circuit Court has discharged the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Hemang Lower Denkyira Constituency, Mr Bright Wereko-Brobbey, and 19 others who were standing trial for their alleged involvement in the stealing and distribution of 1,201 bags of cocoa feed fertilisers belonging to the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).
Advertisement
Wereko-Brobbey, a development specialist, had pleaded not guilty to abetment of crime.
No Evidence
The court, presided over by Mr Kofi Seshie Amewetewe, said the case was dismissed based on the statement from the Attorney General’s office that there was no evidence to the effect that Mr Wireko Brobbey stole or conspired with any of the suspects to steal fertiliser.
Again, he said, it could not be established that any of the suspects dishonestly appropriated bags of fertiliser, adding that there was no evidence to that effect.
All the other suspects wore white bands and poured talcum powder on themselves, signifying victory as they hugged each other outside the court premises after their acquittal.
The suspects in the case included Feliz Kwame Quainoo, Ernest Odei Larbi and Kwaku Noswah, workers of the COCOBOD in the district who were said to have conspired with Wireko Brobbey to steal the fertiliser.
The others were Anthony Carr, Daniel Anane Otoo, Kennedy Sarpong, Abena Toah, Abena Hawa, Abubakar Farouk, Obed Arhin, Afia Ayimaduaa and Lydia Cobbinah, all farmers who were said to be recipients of the fertiliser.
Also included were Salomey Larbi, Mary Donkor, Patience Ahemadu, Monica Boadu, Stephen Oppong, Isaac Enti Junior and Samuel Nii Oblie.
Other Trending Stories
The State Attorney had asked for adjournment two weeks ago, saying investigators had fresh evidence but failed to produce any such evidence in court.
Mr Wireko Brobbey, in an interview later, said he was excited about the court’s decision.
He said there was no truth in the allegations levelled against him, adding that justice had been served.
He said he would now have peace to campaign to win the seat.
The facts of the case, as presented to the court by the prosecutor earlier, indicated that the bags of fertiliser valued at GH¢201, 287.60, were allegedly stolen from the Twifo Praso Office of COCOBOD, and distributed to some farmers believed to be NPP polling station executives to gain political favour for Bright Wereko-Brobbey during the party’s parliamentary primaries held last year.