Ghanaian Appeal Court Rules Against State In Woyome Case

The Court of Appeal in Ghana unanimously dismissed the state's opposition to the embattled businessman Alfred Agbesi Woyome's acquittal.

The court ruled that the original High Court decision to free Mr. Woyome was made in good faith and is in the right direction. It said the state prosecutors failed to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt in a case of defrauding the state.

Mr. Woyome has been in the courts for the past several years defending himself against allegations of defrauding the state to the tune of GHC58 million ($15 million). He is said to have been paid a judgment debt in a lawsuit he filed against the state but which was later judged to be fraudulent in nature.

In a bizarre turn of events, the state, which paid him the monies, proceeded to sue him and then demand a refund.

On March 12, 2015 he was acquitted and discharged by the High Court, presided over by Justice John Ajet-Nasam, on two counts of defrauding by false pretense and causing financial loss to the state.

It will be recalled that Justice Nasam is one of the High Court judges who was later indicted in the infamous corrupt High Court judges expose by investigative journalist Anans Aremeyaw Anas.

The state however filed a notice of appeal after his acquittal saying the trial judge erred and requesting the judgment be set aside.

Alfred Agbesi Woyome is reported to be one of the top financiers of the ruling National Democratic Congress.