Mahama speaks on the jail term of his 3 former appointees

Hours after the three was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment over a purchase of US$4million cybersecurity equipment, Former President John Dramani Mahama, has added his voice to the jail term given to his former appointees.

The three were found guilty for causing financial loss to the State.

William Tetteh Tevie, a former Director-General of the NCA was also sentenced to five years imprisonment and Alhaji Salifu Mimina Osman, a former Deputy National Security Coordinator was sentenced five years imprisonment.

Justice Eric Kyei Baffour found them guilty o causing financial loss to the state to the tune of $4 million. However, they were acquitted and discharged on the charge of stealing, conspiracy to steal and using public office for personal benefits.

A businessman, Derrick Oppong was however acquitted and discharged on all charges against him.

The judge, Justice Kyei Baffour further ordered the Attorney General to seize assets of the convicts amounting to the tune of three million Dollars.

This is the first corruption case that was filed by the NPP government when it assumed power in 2017.

Prosecution led by the state from January 16, 2018, called six witnesses to make a case against the accused persons namely, Eugene Baffoe-Bonnie, William Tetteh Tevie, former Director-General of the NCA; Nana Owusu Ensaw, a former board member; Salifu Mimina Osman, a former Deputy National Security Coordinator and George Derrick Oppong.

The accused led by their respective counsels opened their defence and did not call any defence witnesses.

The accused earlier filed a submission of no case but the court held that they had a case to answer and directed that they opened their defence.

Nana Owusu Ensaw, however, filed an appeal and got a ruling in his favour leading to his discharge.

Reacting to the jail term given to his former appointees, Mr Mahama wrote on his Facebook page “When a man points a finger at someone else, he should remember that four of his fingers are pointing at himself”
—Louis Nizer.

It is best we do not read meanings into his quote. We live it to the political activists.