Justice Eric Kyei Baffour has strongly warned Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe, defence counsel for Tetteh Nettey, a second accused person in the trial of former managers of failed Capital Bank, that he was no longer going to entertain the lawyer’s absentness.

This was as the lawyer failed to represent his client at the court today and as result, affected the court’s proceedings.

Mr Tamakloe was supposed to take his turn after Thaddeus Sory, lawyer for William Ato Essien, first accused (A1) completed his cross-examination of state witness, Vish Ashiagbor, a receiver of the collapsed nine banks.

Although the judge was compelled by the circumstance to invite the other lawyers for Fritzgerald Odonkor and Kate Quartey-Papafio to take their turn instead, he stern warning to Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe through his client.

He said the prosecution during case management informed the court that they will be presenting as many as 18 witnesses.

According to Justice Kyei Baffour: “I will indulge learned Counsel for 2nd Accused for now, and place on record that there is no way, if the court was to engage in such needless adjournments, the case would be completed.

“I will adjourn to the 29th October, 2020 at 10:30 am for counsel for 2nd Accused to cross-examined PW1. Prosecution is to make its next witness available on that day. The witness is discharged for today.”

 The accused persons – William Ato Essien, Tetteh Nettey, Fritzgerald Odonkor and Kate Quartey-Papafio – are facing charges of stealing and misappropriation of failed Capital Bank money.   

This was resulted from  liquidity support in the sum of GH¢620 million given to Capital Bank by the Bank of Ghana.

By Akutu Dede Adimer