Woyome refused bail, formally charged with fraud

Alfred Woyome being taken out of court on Monday

Businessman, Alfred Agbesi Woyome is to remain in police custody after he was refused bail Monday. He has formally been charged with conspiracy to commit crime, defrauding by false pretense and corrupting public officials in the controversial GH¢51 million judgement debt.

Attempts by his lawyers to secure bail for him failed. Two others, Chief State Attorney, Samuel Nerquaye-Tetteh and Mr. Paul Asimenu, a Director at the Legal Department of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, were also remanded into custody.

Mrs Gifty Nerquaye-Tetteh, wife of the Chief State Attorney, Samuel Nerquaye-Tetteh, was charged with aiding and abetment of crime. She was however granted bail in the sum of GH¢500,000 and is to report to the police twice weekly.

The accused have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Joy News’ Anny Osabutey reporting from the court trial said Mr Woyome, who has been in custody since his arrest Friday, arrived in court in a police Van.

Scores of Mr Woyome’s supporters also besieged the court charging for his immediate release.

Mr Kwame Akuffo, counsel for Paul Asimenu told Joy News his client has been charged with abetment of crime – to wit fraud .

Chief State Attorney, Samuel Nerquaye-Tetteh who was also before the court, was charged with aiding and abetment of crime – to wit fraud.

The court adjourned till February 13.

Lawyer for Alfred Woyome, Robertson Kpatsa, is hopeful his client would be granted bail when they reappear in court.

He told Joy News the trial judge rejected their appeal for bail because “We believe that he wants to study the case further, and on the next agenda we hope that he will grant us bail… I am very confident that he will be granted bail”.

Meanwhile, former Education and Sports Minister Yaw Osafo Maafo says he is anxious to appear before police investigators over his alleged role in the Woyome scandal.

Myjoyonline.com