Soccer News of Wednesday, 23 March 2005

Source: GNA

Akwetey to appeal against court's ruling

Accra, March 23, GNA- Mr Bright Akwetey, former Board Secretary of Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club has indicated his preparedness to appeal against an Accra High Court ruling, next week that stated that he has no shares in the Club.

Mr Akwetey told the GNA Sports that plans are far advanced for his lawyers to appeal against the ruling early next week.

He said though his legal counsel was yet to read details of the ruling made by Justice Kofi Akwaah last Tuesday, his team of lawyers would seek to overturn the decision as they go for an appeal. "Its unfortunate that the Easter break would not permit us to appeal until Tuesday, but trust me nothing would stop me from pursuing the case even if I have to go as far as to the Supreme Court". He described the ruling as strange, saying " how can one be said to have relinquished his shares in a company when there had been nothing like a transfer, selling or a gift of deed as stated by law," he quizzed.

Mr. Akwetey said the court has given him a raw deal, explaining that he never relinquished his shares to Nana Wereko-Ampim, Chairman of the Council of Patrons of the Club as claimed by the court. He expressed dismay as to how the judge could rule otherwise when indeed his claim had been supported with a valid document from the Registrar General's Department as evidence, which states that he is a shareholder of the club.

Though he accepted that he had resigned as the club's Board Secretary in 1994, stating a disinterest in his shares, "there was nothing like a transfer, gift of deed or an outright sale".

He alleged that his resignation, which he claimed was precipitated by agitations and protests from sections of the supporters organized by the Chairman of the Council of Patrons, was not accepted up to date. An Accra High Court on Tuesday ruled that Mr Akwetey was not a shareholder of the Club.

The ruling gladdened the hearts of the Phobians - a victory they claimed would now pave the way for the much-awaited Congress of the Club.

Mr. Akwetey some time last year placed an injunction on the management of Hearts that prevented them from holding their annual delegates Congress to elect their Board of Directors to run the affairs of the Club.

He demanded that the Club render accounts on the sale of over 30 players who were sold to foreign clubs.