Accra, Nov. 23, GNA – Daniel Duku, former Chief Executive Officer, Venture Capital Trust Fund (VCTF), and three others, have failed to pay about GH¢18.5 million restitution to the state, a year and two months after a court’s order.
Document cited by GNA indicated that Duku has paid GH¢1 million out of the GH¢15 million.
Irene Anti Mensah, an accomplice, has paid GH¢1,430, 000 out of GH¢1.5 million leaving a balance of GH¢70,000.
Frank Aboagye Mensah, an accomplice has paid GH¢430,000 leaving a balance of GH¢765,000.
Richard Agbenyefia Lassey, a former Member of Parliament and a Board member of VCTF, also an accomplice, has paid GH¢200,000 out of GH¢2,412,500
Duku, Irene, Frank and Lassey had pleaded guilty to various charges including causing financial loss to the Republic before an Accra High Court in July 2020.
The Court presided over by Justice Anthony Oppong, a Court of Appeal Judge, ordered the convicts to pay the restitution of about GH¢18.5 million to the state following an agreement they had with the Attorney General (AG) per Section 35 of the Courts Act, 1993 (459).
Per the said agreement, the court imposed a fine of GH¢500,000 on Duku and it further ordered the seizure of his assets which he acquired during his tenure in office as the CEO of VCTF.
The Court also fined Irene and Frank GH¢100,000 each respectively.
The convicts were given seven days to pay percentage of the amounts and three months after conviction within which they would also pay the remaining amount.
The days and months given by the Court have elapsed over one year and two months and the State is yet to file or take action in respect of the matter.
Per the laws of the country, if convicts are unable to pay the restitution within the given period, the Court is obligated to impose a custodial sentence on them.
In April 2020, the State charged Duku and five others for causing financial loss of over GHS42.8 million implicated the VCTF scandal.
Four out of the six accused persons pleaded guilty.
Meanwhile, trial has kick started for two persons namely Kofi Sarpong, a former Investment Officer, VCTF and Charity Opoku aka Charity Ameyaw, at an Accra High Court.
Mr Yaw Owusu Brempong, Chief Executive Officer, the first prosecution witness, mounted the witness box on Monday.
GNA