Accra, Jan 13, GNA - The trial of Janet Gyimah Kesse, former Manager of the Kumasi Branch of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), who has pleaded guilty to dishonestly misappropriating 278 million cedis belonging to her employers, would continue at an Accra High Court on January 21.

The criminal action followed Janet's inability to reach an agreement with the Attorney General's (A-G) Department on the terms of repayment. Two accomplices, Simon Quist Yaw Kwadde, Issuing Manager and Samuel Ellis Obir, Banking Manager, would be in the dock with her charged with abetment of crime.

The case for the State is that Janet and her accomplices between August 1997 and November 1999 dishonestly misappropriated 278 million cedis belonging to BoG. She has so far paid back 100 million cedis. When the case was called at the High Court on Tuesday, Mr Anthony Gyambiby, Chief State Attorney, said the AG Department on November 5, last year received a letter making an offer of compensation in respect of Janet.

In that letter, Mr Gyambiby stated that certain offers were made and the AG's Department on December 2, last year responded to the letter but it has since not heard from them adding, "we have not had any negotiation".

"We will wish that the case continues so that whenever they are ready, we will know what to do."

Responding, Mr Kwesi Afrifa, Counsel for Janet said, "the terms of counter offer was too onerous," for their consideration as his client had since been out of office.

He said the interest on the said money, which was being sought for, was more than twice of what they were being charged with.

"Even though we want the case to be expedited, we cannot meet the terms," he declared.

The Court presided over Mrs Margaret Insaidoo after hearing both submissions adjourned the matter to January 21.

Later in an interview with the GNA, Mr Gymabiby explained that the AG's Department was only seeking for a "simple interest" on the 278 million cedis, as Janet had pleaded guilty on the first count of dishonestly misappropriating the fund.