General News of Saturday, 22 June 2013

Source: joyonline

Isofoton hints of international arbitration over judgement debt scandal

Spanish firm Isofoton SA has indicated that it will seek redress at the international court following Supreme Court’s ruling which ordered it to refund about $400,000 to Ghana.

According to the Country Representative of Isofoton, Anane-Agyei Forson, who was one of the defendants in the case, the Spanish firm will fight the case to its logical conclusion if justice is not served.

Former Attorney-General Martin Amidu sued the company for receiving illegal monies in judgement debt from the state.

The Supreme Court in a unanimous decision upheld the application by Amidu and ordered Isofoton to pay back the judgement debt to the state.

The Country Representative, Anane-Agyei Forson, is quoted as saying that the firm will not refund the money ordered by the court.

However, speaking on Asempa FM’s political talk show programme, Kukurantumi, on Saturday, Anane Agyei said though it accepts the verdict of the Supreme Court, the company disagrees and will fight on till justice is done them.

“We as a firm accept the verdict of the court but disagree because we know the government owes us and we will fight on. We have told our lawyers to look at the case and advice us on the next step, but want to add that it will not be left there”.

Mr. Anane Forson asserted that though it accepts that the contract was not approved by Parliament, it has a contract with the government for which it is owed about $3 million.

“We will definitely take the money even if we will go for international arbitration,” he added.

He insisted that the mess was created by former chief of staff, Kwadwo Mpiani, who needs to give answers in order to settle the matter once and for all.