Edudzi Tamakloe, thelawyer for Bawku Central Member of Parliament (MP) in the Upper East Region, has statedthat the suit filed against his client for allegedly evading customs duties and taxes is baseless and not grounded in law.
Mahama Ayarigawas accused of fraudulently evading customs duties and taxes by paying GH¢6,062.86 instead of approved duties and taxes of GH¢36,597.15 to clear three Toyota V8 Land Cruisers.
He was also accused of abusing his office as a public officer for private benefit by selling three Toyota V8 Land Cruisers to be used for official duties as MP to Kendrick Akwasi Marfo of ATLAS-Rent-A-Car at GH¢40, 000 each”.
However, Kissi Agyebeng, the Special Prosecutor (SP) on October 11, 2021, indicated that the Office of the Special Prosecutor had discontinued the case against Mr Ayariga because his outfit was unable to gather enough evidence to prosecute him.
Mr Tamakloe noted that it was not surprising the Special Prosecutor could not find strong evidence against his client, given the case was not grounded in law from 2018 and 2019, Mr Ayariga had always maintained his innocence.
“From all indications, there was no basis in law for the case to start and so what has happened is good judgment has prevailed over all other issues, and we are certainly grateful for the intervention,” he said
While entering a nolle prosequi in the matter during his first appearance as the Special Prosecutor, Mr Agyebeng informed the court of the Republic’s intention to enter nolle prosequi in respect of all cases against the accused persons.
The High Court in May 2021 acquitted and discharged Mr Ayariga in the matter of the purchase of an ambulance for the Bawku Municipal Assembly and tried together with six others, the court, presided over by Justice Afia Serwaa Botwe, acquitted and discharged them upon a no-case of submission by the lawyers for the accused persons.
The Special Prosecutor brought two different cases against Mr Ayariga, one involving his use of parliamentary loan approved for purchase of V8 vehicle for official use, and the other over an ambulance he purchased for the Bawku Municipal Assembly.
In the second case, Mr Ayariga was standing trial together with six others; Hajia Hawa Ninchema, Sumaila Abudu, Alex Vadze, Alhaji Abdul-Mumuni Jesewunde, Mary Adapesa and Mumuni Nambe. –citinewsroom.com
