Republic V Adjenim Boateng: Accused lawyers continue cross-examination of Manesseh

Republic V Adjenim Boateng: Accused lawyer continues cross-examination of Manesseh

The lawyer of the former Chief Executive of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) continued his cross-examination of the first witness Manasseh Azure Awuni on Friday, March 10.

The case was adjourned until Wednesday, March 15, 2023 for further proceedings, the Office of the Special Prsceior said in a tweet.

Update: Republic V Adjenim Boateng & More.

The cross-examination of the state’s first witness, Manasseh Azure Awuni, by the lawyer of the former PPA boss continued today. The case was adjourned to Wednesday, March 15, 2023 for further proceedings.

— Office of the Special Prosecutor-Ghana (@ospghana) March 10, 2023

The trial of former Mr. Adjenim Boateng Adjei began on Tuesday, November 29 with the Special Prosecutor calling the first witness, Manasseh Azure Awuni.

The OSP charged him with 8 counts of using public office for profit and and nine counts of directly and indirectly influencing the procurement process to obtain an unfair advantage in the award of procurement contracts.

Likewise, Francis Kwaku Arhen, brother-in-law of Adjenim Boateng Adjei, was charged with one count of using public office for personal gain.

“The two men will be arraigned in the High Court (Criminal Division) Accra on Wednesday, May 25, 2022,” the Office of the Special Prosecutor said in a statement on Wednesday, May 18.

Be warned that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in a letter dated Friday, October 30, 2020, terminated the appointment of Mr. Adjenim Boateng Adjei.

The decision came after the submission of a report to President Akufo-Addo by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) on the conflict of interest investigation initiated against Mr. Adjei.

A report published by CHRAJ noted that Mr. Boateng Adjei could not explain the volume of cash that passed through his bank account with Stanbic Bank after the appointment.

This emerged from investigative work by journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni on some contracts awarded by the Authority.

The CHRAJ report has concluded that Mr. Adjei has placed himself in a position where his personal interests conflict with the performance of his functions as CEO and board member of PPA.

Part of the report said: “The Respondent (Mr. Adjei) opened a USD Account at Stanbic Bank on April 03, 2017 after being appointed CEO of PPA. As of August 2-019 a total of USD516225 had been credited to the account and the debit stood at USD504607.87

“When confronted with the evidence of the amount of cash passing through his account, the Respondent indicated that Frosty Ice Mineral Water Litd does not have a bank account and the proceeds from the sale of the water are kept in his account. Frosty Ice Mineral water Ltd is a company controlled by the Respondent with his wife, Mercy Adjei. He also claimed that he got money from another family business but could not name the family business.

A release issued by Eugene Arhin, Director of Communications at the Presidency, announced the termination of the appointment on Friday “After being satisfied with the fact that the recommendations made by CHRAJ are motivated and properly founded, the President has expressed his appreciation and thanks to Mr. Joseph Whittal and CHRAJ for his thorough and methodical approach to the problem.

Aspects of investigative work related to potential acts of corruption are referred to the Office of the Special Prosecutor for action. Prosecutors have yet to come out with their report.

By Laud Narrtey|3news.com|Ghana

Read the Full Story