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General News on Thursday, January 24, 2019
Source: Myjoyonline.com
2019-01-24
Mahama Ayariga, Member of Parliament for Bawku
The Office of Combatting Organized and Economic Crime (EOCO) is taking steps to recover $ 25,000 from a rental company that has purchased cars from Bawku Central MP Mahama Ayariga.
According to EOCO, the amount corresponds to the amounts from the use of the three cars by the rental company Atlas Rent A Car.
Mr. Ayariga is currently under investigation by the Office of the Special Prosecutor on charges of tax evasion and fraud in the importation of vehicles.
Already, the Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, who is pursuing the case for possible prosecution, has obtained a court order allowing him to have access to Mr. Ayariga's appeal files within a specified time in relation to numbers. specific.
The enraged deputy issued a statement in which he pledged to challenge the special prosecutor in court.
In a letter to Joy News, EOCO, which appears to have already been in contact with the leasing company, said: "In your statement to the Bureau of Economic Crime and organized on July 10, 2018, August 14 and January 9, 2019, you have realized $ 25,754.00 during the work period of the three Toyota Landcruiser vehicles.
"The survey considers the amount thus realized as a coin. You must therefore present the said amount to the Executive Director on Friday, January 18, 2019 at 10:00, "the letter added.
But in its response to EOCO, Atlas Rent A Car said they would not release the amount requested.
"We recognize that section 19 of the Office of Economic Crime and Organized Crime Act, No. 804 of 2010 (…) provides the authority to request information and documents. However, we do not agree that this power extends to the demand of $ 25,754.00, which is the product of a legitimate business venture. "
The company, through its lawyers, added that it was also unable to produce the amount because "this money was used to cover the salaries and allowances of drivers, operational costs, repair and maintenance of the three Toyota Landcruiser vehicles ".
The company believes that EOCO exceeds its mandate by asking for the amount, adding: "In any event, if that amount is part of the evidence relating to the investigation, you have every right to seek the order of the court to freeze such amount in our accounts. "
In its final response, the company stated that EOCO did not have legal powers to "claim profits from a legitimate business transaction, which you described as" information to be marked as an exhibit ".
The minority defended Mr. Ayariga, describing the court's decision that his records of appeal should be disclosed as an invasion of his privacy.
Samuel George Nartey, MP for Ningo-Prampram, said that although the court had the right to request information, it was necessary to take into account the principle of overbreadth and the protection of the privacy of citizens.
He is of the opinion that the courts can be misled and sometimes misinformed about certain positions, especially when they involve certain technicalities.
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