Parliamentarians have begun a probe of alarming developments in the financial Service, but run into a dramatic situation when the Acting Financial Controller Mr. W.K. Nketia lost his composure and collapsed in a heap under interrogation from the Honourable MP’s. The MP was rushed to Ridge hospital which confirmed to this reporter that a man answering to the description and name had been brought there and treated, but further inquiries showed that he was sent to yet another hospital where he spent days under close observation and treatment.

The probe begun a fortnight ago and hit its high point the previous Tuesday when the former finance man Mr. Fordwour, also invited to the probe, challenged and contradicted accounts on some financial transactions relating to the purchase of a generator among others.

Mr. Fordwour tendered documents showing the signature of Mr. Nketia on a contested pay voucher for a 7 kva generator allegedly bought from one of the companies involved in fraudulent dealings with the judicial service and fingered by the auditors, Integrated Electrical Service (IES).

The judicial service, it was gathered was looking to buy a 500 kva genset for the courts, but a dispute emerged as to the capacity of the genset eventually purchased.

By the time Chronicle exited from monitoring the in-camera sittings inside the Speaker’s chambers, an order was expected to be given to haul the other supplier. Tractor & Equipment to testify.

The judiciary which has come under attack for political corruption has now been rocked by accusations of financial malfeasance at the highest levels. The ongoing probe was sparked by an explosive and damaging Auditor-General’s report for the period 1994-1997. An attempt to string and scapegoat an officer of the Judicial Service Mr. Charles Agbevor, Financial Controller 2 culminating in his dismissal early this year also precipitated the probe because Agbevor responded with a courageous rear guard action which successfully challenged his dismissal by The President and turned the tables on his accusers with solid documentary and oral evidence.

It will be recalled that Chronicle reported his challenge to his dismissal. Mr. Agbevor submitted a swathe of documents and a lengthy report which has also formed the basis of the current probe.

Chronicle attempts to obtain the documents has been unsuccessful at the moment, but sources close to the judiciary corroborated by other Auditor-General bureaucrats confirm that the explosive report has been available under secret wraps for a long time.

Chronicle learnt that the Auditor-General authenticated reports of corruption and made far reaching recommendations. The recommendations completely exonerated Mr. Agbevor who had charged that “there is a high level cover up of financial indiscipline and corruption that may never be uncovered by an audit team invited by management.”

The audit committee also submitted that an amount of ?1.9 billion from the accounts of the tribunal accounts had been misapplied by the management of the judicial service between 1994 and 1997.

At least six judges of the Superior courts were asked to refund monies they receive, some in foreign exchange for their travels which the auditors determined exceeded what was due them.

It is not known whether the refunds have been made, but Chronicle gathered that the House Public Accounts Committee which is carrying out the probe is scheduling an appointment with the Chief Justice to come and clarify a “few things” in his capacity as Head of the entire service