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2 in police grips for alleged premix diversion in Keta
Some two persons have been arrested by the Keta Police for their involvement in the alleged diversion of premix fuel meant for Keta fisherfolks in the Volta Region.
A driver and the Secretary of the Nukpesekope Landing Beach Committee, Jeoffrey James Ocloo, were picked up on Tuesday morning in the Keta Municipality.
The two are currently helping the police investigations to unravel the case.
According to Augustine Ocloo, a resident in Keta, he was informed that a Goodness Energy fuel tanker with registration number, GT 5422 Z, was spotted parked around the Nukpesekope premix fuel depot on Tuesday morning.
He said the driver, however, drove off without discharging fuel, a development which rose suspicion of residents of a possible diversion.
“We detailed a vehicle to monitor the tanker. What is surprising is that the Nukpesekope Landing Beach Committee Secretary, Jeoffrey James Ocloo, who is close to the MCE had signed the waybill. The Chief fisherman who is sick and bedridden had his portion also signed”, he narrated.
“We monitored the tanker, which stopped at Afiadenyigba junction, moved and stopped at Avalavi, then to Abor. We, therefore, concluded that the fuel had been diverted so we called in the Police who arrested the driver.”
He further indicated that “the driver then called suspect Jeoffrey James Ocloo who upon arriving at the scene said ‘the issue should be settled here’, but I objected to his suggestion and indicated that we must find where the fuel was sent. Already, the seal on the tanker was broken”.
Jeoffery was subsequently arrested together with the driver and sent to the Keta Police Station, where the two were put behind bars.
The Goodness Energy tanker is also parked at the premises of the Keta Divisional Police Command.
The Keta Divisional Police Commander, Chief Supt Leonard Abakah, declined to comment on the case indicating that he had just received the docket of the case hence would need time to study it before speaking to the media, when Joy News contacted him.
Residents are, however, demanding the National Premix Committee investigate the distribution of fuel to the Keta Municipality within the last 3 months.
They are of the conviction that the majority of the fuel meant for Keta Municipality fisherfolks might have been diverted for the parochial gains of a few.
“We residents of Keta rely heavily on fishing to support our livelihood but we hardly get supply of the fuel. We are suspecting the fuel meant for us were diverted, the authorities must investigate this”, said Senyo Christian Mawulorm, a Mofa Rep on the Nukpesekope Premix Committee
The Keta Municipal Chief Executive, Emmanuel Gemegah, acknowledged receipt of the news of the alleged premix fuel diversion but said he can’t speak to the media about the incident until he returns to Keta.
“I am currently in Accra in a meeting with authorities at the Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority. I don’t have enough information so I can’t speak to the incident until I return to Keta”, he said to Fred Quame Asare in a telephone conversation.
Source: www.adomonline.com
Ghana’s First Lady, Lordina Mahama, has made a generous donation to the country’s national female Under-17 and Under-20 teams – Black Maidens and Black Princesses- as they continue preparations for major international assignments.
The donation, made on Friday, May 22, was presented on behalf of the First Lady by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, at the GFA Technical Centre in Prampram.
The gesture forms part of efforts to motivate and support Ghana’s young female footballers as they prepare to represent the country on the international stage.
The donation included essential food items and toiletries aimed at supporting the welfare and well-being of the players and technical teams.
The donation included cartons of Milo, T-rolls, soft drinks, toiletries, and a range of essential supplies aimed at supporting the welfare of the players, enhancing camp conditions, and easing preparations ahead of their respective assignments.
The Black Maidens are currently engaged in preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers and are set to take on Liberia women’s national under-17 football team in the second-leg encounter in Liberia this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Black Princesses have already secured qualification to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after overcoming Uganda in the qualifiers, extending Ghana’s remarkable record to eight consecutive appearances at the tournament.
The donation by the First Lady was expected to boost morale within both camps while reinforcing national support for the young female footballers who continue to make the country proud.
The prosecution has officially rested its case in The Republic v Solomon Asamoah & Another, the high-profile legal battle commonly referred to as the “Sky Train” case.
The Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai announced the development, praising the state’s team of hard-working prosecutors for successfully anchoring the state’s evidence before the High Court.
The criminal trial centers on the former Chief Executive Officer and the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
The duo stands accused of illegally authorizing and paying out US$2 million to a foreign company without obtaining board directives or other mandatory statutory approvals.
State investigators have confirmed that the disbursed millions cannot be found.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, the accused persons moved the court for an opportunity to file a submission of no case.
The presiding judge granted the application, ordering the defense to submit their arguments by June 8.
The outcome of the June 8 filings will decide the fate of the trial:
With this, if the judge finds the defense’s submission convincing, the accused will be acquitted and discharged however, If the judge dismisses the submission, the court will order the accused officials to take the stand and explain why they should not face prison sentences.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
