The push by former Chief Executive of the Venture Capital Trust Fund (VCTF), Daniel Duku to escape possible jail term by refunding GH¢15million to the State has been rejected once again.
Justice Anthony Oppong said the court is not impressed with the plan to refund the money to the state by paying in bits.
Mr.Duku and two others accused of causing financial loss to the state have been engaging the Attorney General’s office to jointly refund GH¢20million.
The two other accused persons are Irene Anti-Mensah, who was his Executive Assistant at the VCTF, and Frank Aboagye Mensah, Anti-Mensah’s husband. The three accused persons wanted to plead guilty to a total of about 42 charges levelled against them and make amends by paying the money they allegedly took from the state, in line with Section 35 of the Courts Act, 1993 (Act 459).
The court had earlier rejected the proposal saying it does not conform to the requirement of the law. He directed that they work on a new deal and submit to the court.
Justice Oppong had pointed out that on the face of the agreement, there was no indication that the accused persons fully understood what they had signed.
He said the agreement was basically a plea bargain and, therefore, the accused persons must be made aware of the charges which would be dropped against them, whether the prosecution, as a compromise, would drop other charges, the fact that they would not have a right to appeal, among other issues.
At the hearing of the case on Monday, Justice was Oppong was informed of a payment plan spanning three months that will see the three refund GH¢20milion.
Justice Oppong said this was totally unacceptable and the court would exercise its rights to reject the deal.
He directed that trial will proceed; fixing July 3 for the case management conference.
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