Battle Over Woyome Cash, AG Grills Him In Court Today

Businessman Alfred Agbesi Woyome returns to court this morning, Monday October 2, for further questioning over the contentious GH¢51.2 million judgement debt paid to him by the state.

The embattled National Democratic Congress (NDC) financier is before the Supreme Court for oral examination by the Attorney-General (A-G) to ascertain whether or not he has the means to repay the amount. Even before, the parties reappear in court today, the State had initiated valuation processes of some properties belonging Mr. Woyome.

Valuation Government officials claim the move forms part of the

processes of executing the orders of the Supreme Court. Some security personnel and officials from the Ghana Valuation Board rescently stormed the plush Trasacco residence of Woyome to value the property.

At the last court hearing, the NDC financier said it’s an error for the AG to haul him before the court. In the view of the visibly miffed businessman, there already exists a payment plan between himself and the AG, and wondered why he had been brought before the apex court for grilling over the money. He said the state was using the Supreme Court to achieve “what they could not achieve earlier.”

According to him, “The state is here to take money from me, that is erroneous. I have agreement with the state…” Mr Woyome, who was under a two-hour oral examination by Godfred Yeboah Dame, Deputy Attorney General, retorted, “…the state has come improperly before the court; I have paid money to the state, for the state to come ex-parte is misleading the court.”

Touching on his possible landed properties in the country, the deputy AG said houses at Abelemkpe and Kokomlemle belong to him (Woyome.) He claimed “I own the Kokomlemle house together with my family; you cannot say that for the Abelemkpe house.” Insisting that the Abelemkpe house belongs to his brother in America, Mr. Woyome argued, “It’s a house owned by my junior brother in America (who) made it available for the use of the family for a year now.”

Mr. Yeboah Dame, as a result, urged Justice Benin to compel Woyome to produce the documents on the said house pursuant to Order 46 Rule 1 of High Court Civil Procedures CI 47. On that, Mr. Woyome maintained, “I have not lied; never have I lied. The state may go ahead to do whatever they want…” Subpoena The court has however ordered the registrar to subpoena the Registrar of the Lands Commission to provide details on the ownership of the house, as it is on their records. The court as well ordered Woyome’s counsel (Ken Anku) to furnish it with the number of the houses at Ablelemkpe by close of day Friday, July 28, 2017.

The judge had placed an embargo on the shares owned by the businessman in 11 companies, following his indebtedness to the state. The businesses affected include those in Anator Holding Company Limited, AAW Management Consulting Services Limited, Green Township Security Services Company Limited, Anator Construction Company Limited, Woyome Brothers International Limited and Stewise Anator Company Limited.

The rest are Stewise Shopping Company Limited, Green Townships and Industrial Parks Development Company Limited, Anator Power Company Limited, Green Townships (GH) Company Limited and Special Economic Zone International Trading Company Limited.

Source: Jeffrey De-Graft Johnson