Mr. Kofi Adams, chairman of Obuasi Small Scale Miners Association, failed to appear before a Kumasi High Court to testify in a case in which Mr. Clement Sangaparee, a founding member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has sued Mr. John Ackah, the Constituency Organizer of Obuasi East NDC claiming a refund of GH¢111,900 donated to the party by Kofi Adams’ association with interest.
The plaintiff (Sangaparee is accusing the defendant (John Ackah) of misappropriating the money plus other items that were donate to the party.
Mr. Adams, one of the named witnesses of Sangaparee, has confided in Lawyer Alfred A. Quarshie of Dominion Chambers in Kumasi on tape that he or any of the executives of the Small Scale Miners Association would have loved to testify in the case to support the claim of the plaintiff (Sangaparee) but he is being prevented by party (NDC) officials amid threats that they (Miners) might not be allowed to work on any mining concession in the vicinity, if they dared, hence the feet dragging.
Justice Abodakpi, presiding over a Kumasi High Court, has adjourned to May 5, 2016, for further hearing.
Mr. Sangaparee contends that the amount belongs to the party, hence the suit to compel the defendant to refund the monies.
The Constituency Organizer, who is also the NADMO Co-ordinator of the Obuasi Municipal Assembly (OMA) had previously prayed an Obuasi Circuit court to strike out the case, for want of jurisdiction in accordance with Section 42 (3) of the Courts Act 1993.
His position was premised on the fact that the amount (GH¢111,900) being claimed by the plaintiff exceeds the court’s jurisdiction.
Following, His Honour Justice Frank A. Rockson of the Circuit Court at Obuasi, guided by Order I Rule 2 of C.I. 47 which borders on effective justice, avoidance of delays, unnecessary expense and multiplicity of proceedings on October 16, 2014 declined jurisdiction and ordered the Registrar of the Court to forward the case docket to the Chief Justice for the necessary transfer of the case to the appropriate court.
The Chief Justice then advised that the case be transferred to a High Court in Kumasi for determination explaining why Justice Abodakpi came to handle the case.
Meanwhile, Mr. Sangaparee has announced his resolve to ensure that party money is not dissipated by unscrupulous elements in the party.
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