General News of Wednesday, 28 February 2018

Source: mynewsgh.com

Corrupt appointees must take cue from Abuga Pele’s incarceration - Deputy AG

Mr. Abuga Pele was convicted for causing financial loss to the state Mr. Abuga Pele was convicted for causing financial loss to the state

Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame has warned current government officials who are corrupt and may want to take advantage of the system to take a cue from the incarceration of the former National Coordinator of Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA) Mr. Abuga Pele and advise themselves accordingly

“It is something that we should all learn lessons from, he said adding “we should all lead lives that will be in accordance with the expectations of the law and that no matter highly placed we’re and no matter where we’re we are all under the law.”

He explained that the Akufo-Addo led government will not shield any official who will be found to have engaged in corrupt acts and charged all the appointees to follow the procurement and financial management laws in order not to be found foul of the law.

The former Coordinator of GYEEDA Mr. Abuga Pele and businessman Philip Assibit Akpeena were convicted last week by an Accra High Court for causing financial loss to the state.

The court accordingly sentenced them to a total of eighteen-year jail term with Mr Abuga Pele serving six years while Philip Assibit will be serving twelve years imprisonment.

Speaking to Oman FM in an interview during a church service at the East Legon branch of the Methodist Church, Mr Godfred Dame, who welcomed the ruling of the court said, it serves Abuga Pele and his accomplice right for the wrongful acts they committed against the state.

In his view, those who perpetrate criminal acts against the state must be severely punished to serve as a deterrent to others.

Odame who spoke vehemently against corruption believes the current government officials must be guided by the incarceration of the former government official and acts in accordance with the laid down processes when awarding contracts.

Touching on the appointment of Mr Martin ABK Amidu as Special Prosecutor he said, the President could not have appointed any other person than Mr Martin Amidu.

He said Mr Martin Amidu has an impeccable record of fighting corruption and is convinced he will assist the Attorney General’s Department to root out corruption in the system.

“I think he will do a very good job,” he said.