The Prosecution in the Saglemi Housing trial involving Alhaji Collins Dauda, a former Minister of Water Resources, Works, and Housing, along with four other individuals, plans to present five witnesses to testify in the case.
The expected duration of their evidence, including cross-examination by the defense, is estimated to be 1,952 hours.
Justice Ernest Owusu Dapaah, a Justice of the Court of Appeal serving as an additional High Court judge, announced this following the completion of the Case Management Conference (CMC) and Case completion plan. The trial is scheduled to commence on July 10, 2023, with proceedings taking place on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
The other accused persons in the case are Dr. Kwaku Agyeman-Mensah, also a former Minister of Water Resources, Works, and Housing, Alhaji Ziblim Yakubu, a former Chief Director, Mr. Andrew Clocanas, Executive Chairman of Construtora OAS Ghana Limited (4th Accused), and Nouvi Tetteh Angelo, Chief Executive Officer and owner of Ridge Management Solutions Ghana Limited (5th Accused).
They are facing a total of 70 charges related to the Saglemi Affordable Housing Project. All of the accused have pleaded not guilty and have been granted bail.
The charges against them include willfully causing financial loss to the state, amounting to over $200 million, which was approved for the project.
Madam Hilda Craig, the Principal State Attorney, informed the Court that the first witness would submit 113 documents as evidence on behalf of the prosecution. Rev. Osei, who is expected to provide evidence for about an hour and a half, will undergo cross-examination by the defense counsel, which is estimated to take over 720 hours.
Mr. Eric Amankwah Junior, an Officer of the Ministry of Finance, will be the second prosecution witness and is expected to present 31 documents as evidence, requiring approximately an hour and a half.
The Defense has indicated that they will need over 50 hours to cross-examine the witnesses.
Other prosecution witnesses are Ms. Lucy Tetteh Akuetteh from Bank of Ghana, who is expected to tender in evidence six documents, and would be cross examined for an estimated 45 hours.
Meanwhile Kofi Ohene Oyirebi, the fourth prosecution witness, is estimated to use an hour and would tender a report.
He will also face an estimated 87 hours of Cross-examination from the Defence lawyers.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Charles Nyarko, the investigator in the case, will testify for hours and would be subjected to a cross examination for about 170 hours.