A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) legal team, Chris Ackumey, has defended the Flagbearer of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Ivor Greenstreet’s position on President Mahama’s Ford expedition gift saga.
Ivor Greenstreet, at the Inistitute of Economic Affairs (IEA) Evening Encounter series said he will notbe forced to join persons accusing President John Mahama of being corrupt following the exposé that he received a Ford Expedition meant to be a gift from a Burkinabe contractor, who benefited from some lucrative contracts from the state.
“They want me to jump on their bandwagon. I am not an agitator for other people’s political intentions. And we’ve constantly heard the refrain on radio, people are tried on radio and are found guilty even before they have the opportunity to respond….I refuse to be part of a group of people who seek to denigrate individuals…I won’t tell the president he is corrupt unless I have evidence against him,” he said.
Greenstreet further stated that, the Youth League of the party acted arbitrarily in petitioning the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) over the matter.
Some groups and individuals have since criticized Greesntreet, arguing that his comment suggests that the CPP is not ready to fight corruption if given the mandate to govern the country.
But speaking on Citi FM’s news analysis programme, The Big Issue , Mr. Ackumey said there was nothing wrong with what Greenstreet said.
“I have a very great respect for Greenstreet because I have been told he is a lawyer and if that’s the case then definitely the position he took on the matter is just fantastic or the best. He might have done some kind of evaluation and considered what might have constituted a bribe.This kind of thinking which led him to this conclusion may not be available to legal minds. I am not surprised about his position, I think I fully endorse the position that he has taken…”
President Mahama didn’t take a bribe
He also stated that, the gift President Mahama received from the contractor cannot be viewed as a bribe since “there is no evidence to show that it influenced him”.
“To take possession of a gift, it must be registered in your name.The car wasn’t registered in Mahama’s name…,” he added.
–
By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
