AG Department testifies over payment of judgement debt

The Attorney General’s Department (AG) on Tuesday testified at the Judgement Debt Commission over payment by the state to four individuals who accused the Police of wrongful arrest and torture.

According to an Auditor’s General report available to the Commission, four individuals namely Abdul Muziz, Davis Kakra Mensah, Davis Panyin Mensah and Philip Agbodoga were paid GH¢47,230.00 as judgment debt.

Appearing at the commission to testify, Miss Grace Oppong, a Senior State Attorney confirmed payment to only Mr Philip Agbodoga in the sum of GH¢7,630.00.

She explained that Agbodoga took the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Attorney General to court after his arrest by the police on suspicion of armed robbery in November 2003.

She said Agbodoga accused the police of wrongful arrest, unlawful detention and torture and sought a compensation of GH¢50,000.00 from the state.

She said the AGs office wrote two letters to the IGP to enable it to file a defence but there was no respond to the letters and Agbodoga was given a default judgement by the court.

Miss Oppong said the AG’s office was able to enter into negotiation with Agbodoga and he accepted to take GH¢7,630.00 instead of the initial GH¢50,000.00 and it included compensation for torture, pain and suffering and counsel cost.

She said there was no record from the AG’s department on payment made to the three other individuals.

Mr Dometi Kofi Sokpor, Counsel for the Judgement Debt Commission said the commission would summon individuals and institutions related to the case, to explain how the GH¢47,230.00 captured by the Auditor General’s report was disbursed.

Major Mahama Samuel Tara (Retired); Chief Director at the Ministry of Finance also appeared at the Commission to provide documents relating to payments of judgement debt by the Ministry.

Source: GNA