President Nana Akufo-brother Addo’s claims to have flown on the Presidential Jet with his brother “two or three times.”
This was Edward Akufo-Addo’s response to Victor Adawudu’s query at an Accra High Court.
Mr Adawudu is the lawyer for the Executive Director of the Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA), Mensah Thompson.
The President’s brother has sued Mr Thompson and the Class Media Group for defamation.
Mr Thompson is accused of falsely alleging on social media that Mr Akufo-Addo flew to Abuja on the Presidential Jet for personal reasons.
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According to Mr. Akufo-Addo, the claim is “utterly false and the product of the defendant’s imagination.” He is requesting that the court order Mr Thompson to pay ¢10 million in damages.
On October 31, the President’s brother filed his lawsuit.
He informed the court that he would be relying on his six-page witness statement.
Victor Adawudu then cross-examined him. Mr Adawudu inquired as to if Mr Akufo had ever flown on the Presidential jet.
“Question: Have you ever boarded the Presidential Jet?
Answer: Yes My Lord. 2 or 3 times with the President and once with the 1st Lady.
Question: Can you tell this court the destination when you used the Presidential Jet with the President?
Answer: I believe to Kumasi and with the 1st Lady, returning from Kumasi.
Question: Is it your case that the 2 consecutive flights that you had with the President was from Accra to Kumasi and back?
Answer: Yes, to the best of my recollection.”
The President’s brother explained that he boarded the jet because the President asked him to accompany him.
“Question: Is having the privilege of using the Presidential Jet with your brother, His Excellency, in what capacity did you board the jet?
Answer: He asked me to accompany him.
Question: In other words, you did not go with him as a public official. Not so?
Answer: That is so, I am not a public official.
Question: And the privilege extended to you by the President was because you are his family. Not so?
Answer: That is so. I am his brother.”
He was then questioned on how much he paid each time he boarded the Jet. Mr Akufo-Addo replied that he did not pay anything. “I didn’t pay anything. The President did not ask me to pay. “Putting it to you that the courtesies that you enjoyed without paying were borne by government machinery from public funds,” Mr Adawudu stated.
“I am sure the flight was paid for from public funds, I do not think my joining the flight incurred any additional costs. My brother was going there in any event”, he answered.
SOURCE: myjoyonline
