Kumasi (Ashanti Region) - A criminal suit has been brought against Joseph Agyeman Dapaah, the NPP first vice chairman of the Ahafo Ano South constituency in the Ashanti Region for fraud.

The suit filed before a Kumasi High Court on 12 February 2003, this year, is to compel the defendant to refund the sum of ?50m with interest at the prevailing commercial bank rate. The plaintiff, a US-based Ghanaian engineer, is also claiming general damages for breach of contract.

Dapaah, the defendant, a resident of Biemso in Ashanti and presiding member of Ahafo Ano South District Assembly, is a roofing contractor who was engaged by the plaintiff, Emmanuel Kusi-Appiah, to provide various services for the roofing of his (plaintiff) house at Ntesere and Adwumamu all in Ashanti.

After entering into a contract for the execution of the required services, the defendant contractor took a total of ?50m in payment out of the contract sum of ?54m. even though the ?54m project was to be completed by April 2002 in accordance with clearly stipulated specifications, the defendant could not complete it. He is accused by complainant of not following architectural drawings stipulated by the contract.

The plaintiff avers in his statement of claim that the defendant wilfully refused to execute the contract which action constitutes a gross breach hence the reliefs being sought in court.

Meanwhile, Mariam Gyasi, counsel for plaintiff, has abrogated the contract, which Dapaah allegedly breached. By the abrogation of the contract the constituency chairman is forbidden to enter of the plaintiff’s landed properties at Ntensere and Adumamu.

Last month (29 January) Superintendent Arthur’s Buffalo Unit of the Police Service arrested chairman Dapaah on suspicion of fraud involving ?50m. he was later granted bail after he had bragged that he was an NPP chairman and an honourable presiding member and, therefore, untouchable.