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
