The High Court in Accra has officially discharged former Ministers of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Alhaji Alhaji Collins Dauda and Kweku Agyeman Mensah over the $200M Affordable Housing case.
The two former ministers alongside, Alhaji Zeblim Yakubu, and Nouvi Tetteh Angelo, were facing trial for allegedly causing a $200 million financial loss.
They have pleaded not guilty to 70 counts, but the fourth accused, Albert Clocanau, has passed away along the line.
The trial had begun with the third prosecution witness, Madam Lucy Tetteh Akuetteh, a retired staff attorney of the Bank of Ghana testifying.
On February 4, 2025, Principal State Attorney Ms. Hilda Craig requested the adjournment, citing instructions from her superiors to “put their house in order.”
But, on February 7, 2025 the AG filed a Nolle Prosequi to officially discontinued charges against them upon perusing the case docket but the Court was yet to be informed.
On Tuesday February 25, 2025, State Prosecutors led by Hilda Craig, a Principal State Attorney officially informed the presiding Judge, Justice Ernest Owusu-Dapaa of the AG decision.
“We are here to inform the court of our entry of Nolle Prosequi in this case filed on February 7, 2025. It means that case has come to an end at this point and the accused persons can be discharged at this point pursuant to the filing of the Nolle Prosequi,” Ms. Craig said.
Defense lawyers did not object to the AG request to terminate the trial except to express gratitude to the AG and the Court.
This means, the four who are facing trial before Justice Ernest Owusu Dapaah, a Justice of the Court of Appeal who is presiding over the case as an additional High Court judge will no longer appear in Court to face charges.
Alhaji Collins Dauda, together with Dr. Kwaku Agyemang-Mensah, a former Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing; Alhaji Ziblim Yakubu, Chief Director at the Ministry for Water Resources, Works and Housing, contributed to the Saglemi Housing deal when it was prepared and signed.
Also playing a part are businessman Andrew Clocanas, Executive Chairman of Construtora OAS Ghana Limited and Nouvi Tetteh Angelo, Chief Executive Officer and owner of Ridge Management Solutions Ghana Limited.
They are involved in the $200 million Saglemi Housing Project which prosecution had alleged they have misapplied the funds.
Background
Alhaji Collins Dauda, the former Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing and four others have been slapped with 70 charges of causing financial loss to the state over the Saglemi Affordable Housing project.
The amended charge sheet replaced the previous 52 charges pressed against them in July 2021.
Alhaji Collins Dauda, together with Dr. Kwaku Agyemang-Mensah, a former Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing; Alhaji Ziblim Yakubu, Chief Director at the Ministry for Water Resources, Works and Housing, contributed to the Saglemi Housing deal when it was prepared and signed.
Also playing a part are businessman Andrew Clocanas, Executive Chairman of Construtora OAS Ghana Limited and Nouvi Tetteh Angelo, Chief Executive Officer and owner of Ridge Management Solutions Ghana Limited.
On January 24, 2023 Hilda Craig, a Principal State Attorney told the Criminal Division of the Accra High Court that Prosecution filed fresh charges which ranges from – intentionally misapplying public property and causing financial loss to the state among others.
Alhaji Collins Dauda, a former Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing who doubles as NDC MP for Asutifi South in the Ahafo Region, and four others are involved in the $200 million Saglemi Housing Project scandal.
source :www.kumasimail.com
