Accra, June 25, GNA - The Committee for Joint Action (CJA) on Wednesday said the trial and conviction of Mr Tsatsu Tsikata, former Chief Executive Officer of Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), was politically motivated.

"We of the CJA are alarmed and appalled at the way in which Ghana's judicial processes are being abused with apparent political undertones and we consider the rushed conviction and imprisonment of Tsikata as a vivid example of this abuse," it said.

An Accra Fast Track High Court last Wednesday, jailed Tsikata for five years for wilfully causing financial loss and misapplying public property.

In a statement signed by Mr Felix Kwakye Ofosu on behalf of the CJA, the pressure group said it was aware that the decision of the GNPC for which Tsikata had been convicted never caused any loss to the nation and said that he was jailed for a reason other than "wilfully causing financial loss to the state".

"We wish to remind Ghanaians that Tsikata has been convicted not for failing to follow the procedure; neither was he convicted for causing financial loss; because the prosecution failed to prove that there has been a loss," the statement noted. The statement held that Tsikata had suffered grave injustice at the hands of Mrs Justice Henrietta Abban since she was aware that counsel for Tsikata was absent.

She dismissed his application for admission of crucial evidence. The statement further called on all Ghanaian democrats and progressive forces to join in the campaign for the release of Tsikata from prison.

An Accra Fast Track High Court on Monday adjourned sine die a bail application by Tsikata.

This is to enable him get a copy of the judgment of the court presided over by Mrs Justice Abban and await the outcome of a petition he has forwarded to the Chief Justice on allegations of the judge's conduct. 25 June 08