The brother of President Nana Akufo-Addo says he has used the Presidential Jet with President Akufo-Addo “two or three times”.
This was Edward Akufo-Addo’s response to a question posed by Victor Adawudu 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.
Mr Thompson and the Class Media Group have been sued for defamation by the President’s brother.
Mr Thompson is accused of falsely claiming on the media network that Mr Akufo-Addo travelled to Abuja via the Presidential Jet for his personal business.
Mr Akufo-Addo says the claim is “utterly false and a product of the defendant’s imagination.” He wants the court to order Mr Thompson to pay ¢10 million as damages.
The President’s brother on October 31 opened his case.
He informed the court of his decision to rely on his six-page witness statement.
He was then cross-examined by Victor Adawudu. Mr Adawudu asked whether Mr Akufo had ever boarded 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.
Q: Is it your case that the 2 consecutive flights that you had with the President was from Accra to Kumasi and back?
A: 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.
“Q: Is having the privilege of using the Presidential Jet with your brother, His Excellency, in what capacity did you board the jet?
A: He asked me to accompany him.
Q: In other words, you did not go with him as a public official. Not so?
A: That is so, I am not a public official.
Q: And the privilege extended to you by the President was because you are his family. Not so?
A: 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:www.myjoyonline.com