General News of Friday, 18 May 2001

Source: Chronicle

SIC to Cough Up ?137m Compensation

The State Insurance Company (SIC) has initiated fresh moves to settle the claim of madam Ohenewa Oduro whose claim for compensation has been marking time for about seven years.

Chronicle has gathered that after a publication in the Chronicle on the deplorable state of the 68 year old lady's health, a team of SIC officials went to see her lawyer for an amicable settlement. In a follow up to the story, the lawyer told the Chronicle that the SIC official have been to his office on two occasions to discuss the settlement but no agreement has been reached because contrary to the ?137m awarded to his client by an Accra High Court, SIC offered ?40m.

He said that his client has told him that she will cannot accept anything less than ?100m. "This means that she has reduced quashed ?30m out of the amount the court awarded her.

This is very gratuitous". It can be recalled the Chronicle in a front story revealed the sad situation of 68 year old Madam Ohenewa Oduro whose left leg was amputated seven years ago following a fatal accident.

Medical reports indicated that she had about 80% permanent disability. Following the accident she became bed ridden and could no longer survive on her own.

An Accra High Court chaired by Justice N. S. Gbadegbe ruled that SIC should pay the victim ?137m. Sic has been unable to settle the claim after seven years and death is gradually closing in on the old lady.