CHRAJ ordered to find Freddie Blay and serve him with convocation

General News on Friday, June 7, 2019

Source: Myjoyonline.com

2019-06-07

The High Court of Accra ordered the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to find the national president of the new patriotic party, Freddie Blay, and to serve him a summons to the Investigation in connection with the acquisition of certain buses.

CHRAJ is investigating allegations of bribery against Freddie Blay in connection with the purchase of 275 buses for the ruling party.

Last year, he bought the buses for the election of the party's national leaders. The investigations follow a petition from a lobby group.

Mr. Blay refuted claims that the buses were purchased to influence delegates before the nuclear power plant conference in the eastern region capital, Koforidua.

He added that the party had obtained a bank facility to buy the buses, which he said will be managed by the STC public transport company.

But the Coalition for Social Justice in its petition stated that the purchase of the buses amounted to a vote and a corruption case to be considered by the CHRAJ.

During its investigation, the CHRAJ wrote to Mr. Blay two months ago to ask him to respond to the petition.

The Commission also asked him to produce the customs declaration forms and other forms covering the duties paid for the vehicles.

According to the CHRAJ, this information was necessary in order to proceed with the investigation.

CHRAJ states that neither Mr. Blay nor his lawyers responded to their request that he be required to file an application to incarcerate the politician for contempt of court.

The Commission informed the court that Mr. Blay had refused to respond to a petition filed against him by the Coalition for Social Justice and wanted a custodial sentence.

CHRAJ's lawyers have indicated that they have so far sent the documents to the BNP headquarters and the offices of the Daily Guide newspaper – which belongs to Mr. Blay – but that they do not have to do so. had not yet received a response from the NPP Chairman.

However, the court, chaired by Judge George Koomson, said the CHRAJ would attempt to contact Mr. Blay at his private home.

The case was sent back to June 25th.