After 6 weeks of studying the over one year court proceedings on the ongoing trial involving four suspects; Osarfo Anthony, Ekow Micah, Sarah Kwablah, and Chris Handler, accused of allegedly conspiring to extort money from Asamoah Gyan, the new Attorney General headed by Madam Gloria Akuffo, is set to appear in court for trial to continue.
Dragging Of feet by Prosecution/Complainant
The trial, which started on 8th September, 2015, has suffered several adjournments occasioned by the prosecution, complainant, and witnesses. They are mostly absent from court, though the accused ones are always present in court, ready to build a spirited defence to prove their innocence to the court and the public.
Court Threatened to discharge the accused ones
After 2 months of wasting the court’s time this year, the trial judge, Her Honour, Ms. Afia Agbanu Kumador, threatened to discharge the 4 accused. One of the defence lawyers for the accused ones, Lamtiig Apanga, told the court to discharge the accused since the prosecution has shown gross apathy in the trial – making his client waste more money on legal and other fees.
Charge against accused ones
The 4 accused are facing trial for conspiring to extort money from the black stars captain, Asamoah Gyan but pleaded not guilty to the offence; waiting patiently to open their defence. “We are ready to continue this trial to the end, because, my clients are all innocent.
“All our evidences are intact – video, audios, Whatsapp chats, SMS, and agreement letters are all intact. If they have a case, they should not run away. They should come let’s finish this trial for the truth to come out once and for all. The public must know the truth in this case” lawyer Maurice Ampaw, counsel for the accused poised to clear the names of his clients.
Background of Case
First witness in the case, in the person of Asamoah Gyan’s manager, Samuel Annim Addo, told the court that Osarfo Anthony was doing publications on the once viral Gyan and Sarah Kwablah rape and sodomy allegation story (back in 2015).
A witness in the case, Nii Amarh Armateifio, a worker then at Radio XYZ, approached Osarfo and asked him to stop the publication and that whatever money the latter’s media house, GHBase.com, will lose, they are prepared to negotiate for Asamoah Gyan to pay to kill the story.
Osarfo, insisted the whole proposal be put on paper and signed; something both parties agreed and did. On the day Asamoah Gyan’s manager met Osarfo and gave part of the agreed amount, the police arrested Osarfo and later charged him and the 3 others, for extorting money from Gyan.
Asamoah Gyan’s Lawyer Ran Away From His Own Plot
According to Asamoah Gyan’s manager, Sammy Annim, its Gyan’s lawyer, Kissi Agyabeng, who directed him on the whole plot to get Osarfo Anthony arrested. To achieve what or for whose interest? Lawyer Kissi could not appear in court to testify to that till date – though he promised the court he will.
Next Hearing
Come 26th April, the new Attorney General, after 6 weeks of studying the over one year court proceedings on the trial, shall appear in court for trial to continue.
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