Alex Mould
THE OFFICE of the Attorney General (AG) has filed an application seeking to serve former Chief Executive Officer of Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Alex Mould, through substitute service.
Mr. Mould is one of the two persons who executed the GH¢5 million bail granted to former Chief Executive Officer of Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Attionu Tamakloe, who is standing trial for allegedly causing financial loss to the state.
The AG’s Office filed the application for substituted service due to several failed attempts by bailiffs to serve Mr. Mould with an application seeking him to show cause why he should not be made to pay the bail sum, as a result of the accused person failing to show up for the trial.
The accused has been absent from the trial since October last year, after the court granted her leave to go for a medical checkup in the United States.
Justice Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe, who is conducting the case, yesterday read an affidavit of non-service filed by a bailiff which indicated that he went to Mr. Mould’s residence on three separate occasions to effect the service but no one came out to attend to him.
Stella Ohene Appiah, a Principal State Attorney, indicated that they were aware of the situation and have for that matter filed an application for substituted service which is scheduled for today.
Gavivina Tamakloe, one of the sureties was, however, present in the courtroom when the case was called, and his lawyer, Beatrice Annan, told the court that they have filed an affidavit in opposition to the AG’s motion for forfeiture, which has been adjourned to July 5.
Ms. Attionu and former Operations Manager of MASLOC, Daniel Axim, have been arraigned for allegedly stealing, causing financial loss to the state to the tune of GH¢93 million, among other charges.
Together, the two are facing 78 counts of charges including conspiracy to steal, stealing, unauthorised commitment resulting in a financial obligation for the government, improper payment, money laundering and contravention of the Public Procurement Act.
The two accused persons allegedly stole a total amount of GH¢3,198,280 whilst at MASLOC and willfully caused a GH¢1,973,780 financial loss to the state.
Again, Ms. Attionu and her accomplice, while in charge of MASLOC allegedly made unauthorised commitments resulting in financial obligations for the government to the tune of GH¢61,735,832.50.
The charges against the two also include a GH¢22,158,118.85 loss to public property and improper payment of GH¢273,743.66 as well as money laundering of GH¢3,704,380 whilst in charge.
BY Gibril Abdul Razak