and orders Sinare to open defence

Accra, Oct. 21 GNA - An Accra Circuit Court on Thursday drove out the Ghana News Agency from its sitting before asking Alhaji Saide Sinare, Former National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Ayawaso Central, to open his defence.

Before the Judge, Mrs Wilhelmina Hammond gave her ruling, she asked whether there were any reporters in the court and when the Ghana News Agency Reporter announced his presence, she asked him to go out. Alhaji Sinare is standing trial for allegedly conspiring with Nii Armah, an Electoral Officer, to make 26 illegal entries into the Voters' Register. Alhaji Sinare has pleaded not guilty.

Nii Armah was charged with forgery and conspiracy. He pleaded not guilty but in the course of the trial he changed his plea to guilty and was sentenced to six months' imprisonment by the Court.

Mr Joseph Turkson, Counsel for Stanley Nii Armah, told the GNA that Mr Albert Adaare, Counsel for Alhaji Sinare told the Court that he intended to appeal against the ruling and, therefore, needed time to do so and the Court adjourned case sine die.