Abuga Pele and Philip Assibit's application of no case thrown out

An Accra High Court has dismissed an application of no case filed by lawyers of former National Co-ordinator of GYEEDA, Abuga Pele, and a private businessman, Philip Akpeena Assibit, in the case in which they have been accused of playing various roles leading to the state losing GH¢4.1 million.

Abuga Pele has been alleged to have recommended payment of the said amount to Assibit, when Assibit had not performed any work to merit payment.

In her ruling on the application Justice Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe said per the evidence given by prosecution witnesses which included Alhaji Nuru Hamidan, formerly of GYEEDA, Mohammed Pelpuo also of GYEEDA, Ms Gladys Ghartey of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MOFEP), Mr. Clement Humado, a former Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr. Sulley Ali Gariba of the Management Productivity and Development Institute (MDPI) and Mr. Eric Sunu, an internal auditor the prosecution has been able to establish a prima face case against the two.

Abuga Pele has pleaded not guilty to two counts of abetment of crime, intentionally misapplying public property, and five counts of wilfully causing financial loss to the state.

While Assibit has also pleaded not guilty to six counts of defrauding by false pretences and five counts of dishonestly causing loss to public property.

The case has been adjourned to the 13th of July where the two accused will begin the opening of their defense.