Supreme Court adjourns as Woyome 'ambushes' Amidu

The Supreme Court has adjourned the case involving former Attorney-General Martin Amidu who was expected to question an NDC financier Alfred Agbesi Woyome for illegally keeping GHC51.2m in state money.

The case will now be heard on December 1, 2016.

The highly-anticipated oral examination could not come off after the former A-G and anti-corruption campaigner revealed that a fresh motion had been served on him by Mr. Woyome and a private legal practitioner, David Ametefe.

"We have a motion on notice to stay proceedings pending final determination of a motion to reverse court ruling", Counsel for Woyome said in court.

Former Attorney-General Martin Amidu said he could not proceed to debate the motion because he has yet to study the document. He complained about unfair legal tactics employed by the opposing counsel.

He told Supreme Court judge Justice Anin Yeboah, he had just been 'ambushed' with a motion filed by Woyome's lawyers.

Read an unedited transcript of events.

JS Justice Anin Yeboah: "Mr Amidu, a motion was filed yesterday at 1pm by the Judgement debtor, have you received it?"

Amidu: "My Lord, I was served at 9;38 this morning"

Lawyer for Woyome: "We have a motion on notice to stay proceedings pending final determination of a motion to reverse court ruling"

JSC : 'Plaintiff is saying he has just been served"

Lawyer Anku: "My Lord, we have filed "

Judge intervenes: "You are a senior at the bar, you know once you file the bailiff must serve, he has just received and you want to move it now, you are saying you have served but even the A-G hasn't received it, maybe you have handed it to a messenger at the Attorney's department then you go and say the court is persecuting you"

Amidu: "I have been served this bulky document, I have not had time to go through it. This is not the first time. I don't think it is fair to ambush me this way, I cannot say I will wave my right because I haven't even read the document"

Judge: "It appears the respondent to this application has just being served. He complains legitimately that he has not got enough time to read. The A-G's department was served yesterday. In view of the fact that there has been short service, am adjourning . Mr Amidu when can you come back?"

Amidu: 'I have agreed with the AG, Tuesday 29th November will be OK"

Judge: "Registrar has hinted that my brother Justice Dotse has some judgement to give on Tuesday"

Judge: "Let's come on the 1st December then"

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