Member of Parliament for Keta, Dan Abodakpi, released from prison on May 24 after President Kufuor pardoned him from his ten-year jail sentence for wilfully causing financial loss to the State, has lost an appeal he filed against his conviction. Court of Appeal on Friday returned a 2:1 Majority decision that Abodakpi deserved his conviction and would therefore not tamper with the decision of the Fast Track High Court that tried him. Justices Kanuke and Acquaye upheld the guilty decision while Justice Yaw Appau dissented. The former Trade Minister appealed against his conviction on the grounds that he was wrongfully convicted. Mr. Abodakpi was sentenced on February 5, 2007 for wilfully causing financial loss of $400,000 to the State after a trial that began in 2002. Mr Abodakpi, together with the late deputy Finance Minister, Victor Selormey were accused of causing the transfer of $400,000 during his tenure in office as Minister from a Trade and Investment Program interest account lodged with ECOBANK Ghana Limited into the personal account of the project consultant, Dr. Frederick Boadu. The amount was in respect of a feasibility study for the establishment of a Science and Technology Community Park/Valley Project which was meant to enhance the export of non-traditional products. President Kufuor, per a statement signed by Mr. Kwadwo Mpiani, Chief of Staff and Minister for Presidential Affairs on May 24, exercised his constitutional prerogative of mercy in favour of Mr. Abodakpi on humanitarian grounds and granted him a pardon by way of remission of the remainder of his sentence. Author: Isaac Yeboah