Accra, Feb. 20, GNA - The Court of Appeal on Tuesday adjourned to March 5 an application for a bail pending an appeal filed by Dan Kwasi Abodakpi, Member of Parliament for Keta and a former Minister of Trade and Industry.

Mr Abodakpi was on February 5 sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment in hard labour for causing financial loss of 2.73 billion cedis to the State.

The prosecution led by Mrs Gertrude Aikins and counsel for the applicant, Mr Charles Hayibor were called to the Chambers of Mr Justice S.T. Farkye, an Appeal Court judge, where they agreed an adjourned date. As a result the two parties did not argue on their respective motion and supporting affidavits.

was served on Abodakpi on Tuesday morning. Abodakpi therefore needed time to study the document and respond, hence the adjournment. Abodakpi arrived at the Supreme Court at 0935 hours with three Prison Officers escorting him. He looked cheerful and smart in his white shirt and black pair of trousers with a black shoe to march. There were some sympathizers, among them were Parliamentarians, present at the court.

The prosecution's case was that between May and December 2000, Abodakpi acted together with the late Victor Selormey, former Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr Frederick Owusu-Boadu, a Consultant and others to wilfully cause financial loss of 400,000 dollars to the state through the Trade and Investment Programme (TIP). The money was in respect of a feasibility study for the establishment of a Science and Technology Community Park/Valley Project, which was meant to enhance the export of non-traditional products. 20 Feb. 07