An Accra Fast Track High Court has seized the travelling passports of former Information Minister Stephen Asamoah Boateng and his wife Zuleika. The court, presided over by Justice Charles Quist, ordered the couple to deposit the documents at the Registry of Passports. According to trial judge, the couple had on two occasions attempted to travel while under investigations. The ex-minister, his wife and seven others including former deputy Information Minister Frank Agyekum face 14 charges – including conspiracy to commit crime, forgery of official document and an attempt to defraud the state. All nine were admitted to a bail in the sum of GH¢10,000 each. According to Joy FM's Sammy Darko who was in court, the prosecution dropped nine earlier charges against the accused persons. The charges are in connection with the award of a contract at the Information Ministry for the renovation of some offices. The accused also include Kwabena Denkyira, a former Director of Finance; Dominic Yaw Sarpong, Director of Finance at the Information Ministry and his deputy Kofi Asamoah. The rest are Jasmin Damoah, manageress of Flexiform Ventures, the company that was awarded the contract; and Prosper Aku, an official of Supreme Procurement Limited, the company accused of forging procurement documents. Mr Frank Agyekum is standing trial for allegedly signing a letter for the release of an amount in excess of GH¢86,000 to Flexiform Ventures. The prosecution argues the former official went ahead to endorse the document when he was aware "due process" was not followed. Mrs Asamoah Boateng is also said to have taken a contract for a project on which she had no technical know-how. She is alleged to have secured business documents from a cousin to get the contract. The court has adjourned hearing to August 27. Story by Fiifi Koomson/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana