Collapsed Banks Saga: State Increases Charges Against Dr. Duffuor And Co, Ato Essien’s Plea To Refund Money To The State Rejected By AG

The Attorney General’s office has had a very busy day today, defending the state against key players of some defunct banks for their roles in the infamous banking crisis that hit the country a few years ago.

The AG’s office today, amended its case against Dr Kwabena Duffuor, founder of Unibank and eight others, moving its preferred charges from 68 to 71.

Director of Public Prosecution, Yvonne Attakora Obuobisa informed the court presided over by Justice Bright Mensah that the State has also made available its evidence against the accused persons and is ready to proceed with a trial.

The A-G has accused Dr. Duffuor, who was also a shareholder of uniBank of using the HODA Group, to take money from the bank and “dishonestly” transferring depositors’ funds. The case has been adjourned to July 16 for Case management conference.

In a separate but related case, the Attorney General’s office has revealed that it has rejected the terms of a refund submitted by the founder of the defunct Capital Bank, Ato Essien.

Chief State Attorney, Marina Appiah Opare on Thursday told the High court the agreement was “totally unacceptable”.

Mr. Essien and three others are facing 26 charges for various roles they played that led to the collapse of the financial institution.

According to the lawyers of Mr. Essien they had already indicated to EOCO that their client was willing and ready to return some ¢27 million to the state.

But the AG’s office, even though it initially agreed to study the terms of refund submitted by Mr Essien’s lawyers, has decided to reject outright the said terms of reference, describing it as totally unacceptable.

The presiding judge, Justice Kyei Baffuor adjourned the case to July 9 to allow the parties to reach an agreeable conclusion. Justice Kyei Baffuor however warned that should an agreement fail to be reached, the case will proceed.

Source: GhanaFeed.Com