William Matthew Tetteh Tevie(L) and Eugene Baffoe-Bonnie(R)
A former Director General of the National Communications Authority (NCA), William Tetteh Tevie, has been handed a six-year jail term by the High Court.
Also, Eugene Baffoe-Bonnie, the former Board Chairman of the Authority, has been jailed for six years.
In the same case, the High Court also slapped a five-year jail term on Salifu Osman, a former National Security representative coordinator.
Justice Eric Kyei Baffour found them guilty of causing $4 million financial loss to the state.
One other accused person, a businessman was, however, acquitted and discharged.
This is the first corruption case that was filed by the NPP government when it assumed power in 2017.
The Attorney General has been ordered to seize assets belonging to the convicted persons estimated to be worth $3 million.
Prosecution led by the state from January 16, 2018, called six witnesses to make a case against the accused persons namely, Eugene Baffoe-Bonnie, William Tetteh Tevie, former Director-General of the NCA; Nana Owusu Ensaw, a former board member; Salifu Mimina Osman, a former Deputy National Security Coordinator and George Derrick Oppong.
The accused led by their respective counsel opened their defence and did not call any defence witnesses.
The accused earlier filed a submission of no case but the court held that they had a case to answer and directed that they opened their defence.
Nana Owusu Ensaw, however, filed an appeal and got a ruling in his favour leading to his discharge.
Among the charges were stealing, using public office for personal gains, and willfully causing financial loss to the state in respect of the purchase of a Pegasus machine worth $4 million, to among other things assist in the fight against terrorism.
They all denied the various offences and have since been on bail.
Justice Baffour noted in his judgement that prosecution had proved that the three accused persons conspired and caused financial loss to the state.
He said evidence showed that the transaction did not have the approval of the NCA’s board, and a loss was occasioned to the state.
Source: myjoyonline
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