The Centre for National Affairs has charged former appointees whose names have been mentioned in the ongoing Woyome trial to desist from arguing their case in the media.

The Centre believes the trend has the potential to prejudice the protracted case.

Mr Alfred Agbeshie Woyome opened his defence early this month after his no case application was dismissed.

He had since mentioned names of high ranking government officials under the erstwhile Kufuor administration who he claimed played a role in what has become the Woyome scandal.

Some of those persons have been quick to rebuff the claims by Woyome through the media.

But the Centre for National Affairs believes the practice is unhealthy.

In a statement, the Centre said while it is normal for names to be mentioned in such a controversial case, the persons whose names have been mentioned have every right to present their own documents to the court than to argue their case in the media.

 

The full statement is as follows;

 

PRESS STATEMENT

21st May, 2014.

 

RESPOND TO FALSEHOOD PEDDLED AGAINST YOU BY WOYOME IN COURT

 

The Centre for National Affairs would like to serve notice to all persons mentioned in the on-going Woyome trial at the Financial Division of the High Court to write to the registrar of the court and make available to the court materials that are relevant to the merit of the case before the court.

The Centre (CNA) has observed a worrying trend since Mr. Woyome’s no case application was dismissed by the High court on the 30th of April, 2014. Mr. Woyome opened his defence on the 5th of May, 2014 and has since mentioned names of high-ranking government officials in the administration of Ex-President Kufuor. This development does not come to the Centre as a surprise. It is normal and was expected.

However, what we at the Centre for National Affairs consider strange and unhelpful is the manner in which persons whose names have come up in the trial have responded. Once a person’s name is mentioned and associated with certain issues related to a trial in a court of competent jurisdiction, it creates the opportunity for such persons to write officially to the registrar of that court to be given the privilege to either appear in person before the court or tender documents to the court to correct any misleading information provided by the defendant.

In respect to this woyome case, there is also the option of tendering in materials to the Chief State Attorney who is prosecuting the case. It is against this background that the Centre appeals to all such persons who have been mentioned in the on-going trial to desist from responding to issues in the press. Doing so, won’t help the state prosecute the case well. It might weaken the quality of the prosecuting materials and will most likely give Mr. Woyome the opportunity to file a contempt case against such.

We conclude by inviting any individuals or organizations whose name(s) has been mentioned and associated with what they consider misleading in the on-going Woyome judgment debt case to call on the Centre for National Affairs with all the necessary materials and they shall receive technical and financial assistance to present their case before the Financial Division of the High Court that is presiding over the case.

 

Signed

 

Rocky Richard Obeng

Deputy Executive Director

Centre For National Affairs-CNA