The Deputy Trade and Industry Minister Nii Lantey Vanderpuye says he will not vacate the Number 2 Mango Street bungalow until he is directed by the Ministry of Works and Housing to do so.
An Accra High Court has ordered the Odododiodio MP to hand over the keys to the contentious bungalow to the NPP chairman, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, who the Supreme Court ruled as having legally acquired the state bungalow in 2008 but Vanderpuye said, it was the Ministry of Works and Housing which allocated the bungalow to him and will only vacate when the sector minister directs him to do so.
Two government officials-Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Dr Omane Boamah- in 2009 went to the Supreme Court to challenge the rights of the NPP chairman to purchase the state bungalow he lived in whilst serving as a minister.
They, among other things, accused the NPP chair of conflict of interest, abuse of office and prayed the court to stop the sale of the property.
The Supreme Court threw out the application by the two government officials and ruled in favour of the NPP chair as having legally acquired the property.
Nii Lantey Vanderpuije still remained in the bungalow, despite the court’s verdict.
Shortly after the ruling, the late President John Mills issued a directive which sought to stop the policy that allowed government properties to be sold to public officials.
Jake Obetsebi Lamptey was appalled by the directive and accused the late president of attempting to disrespect the court’s ruling.
He later on secured a ruling from the High Court which ordered the occupant of the bungalow to hand over the keys to Jake Obetsebi Lamptey.
Nii Lantey Vanderpuye told Joy News he is not privy to the recent court ruling.
He said he will only vacate the bungalow if the Ministry instructs him to do so.
He wondered why the court will give such a ruling when the then president issued a fiat for the stoppage of the sale of state properties to public and private officials.
He said he is aware, some aggrieved parties- who are part of the Ga-Adanme youth are heading to court to contest the case.
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