A former Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Johnson Asiama, has been advised to self – quarantine when he returns from Nigeria to Ghana because of the Coronavirus disease (COVID -19 ).
The advice was given by state prosecutors at the Accra High Court Thursday [March 12, 2020] after the court approved an application to allow Dr Asiama to travel to Nigeria.
Dr Asiama is standing trial on allegation of approving Ghc760 million in liquidity to the defunct uniBank and UT Bank without following due process as stipulated by law
He has pleaded not guilty to wilfully causing financial loss to the state and contravention of the Bank of Ghana Act, 2002 (Act 612).
Urgent need
Dr Asiama is on bail in the sum of Ghc60million with three sureties, two to be justified.
As part of the bail conditions, the court, presided over by Justice Bright Mensah , also ordered him to deposit his passport at the court’s registry
His lawyer, Mr Simon Alimley, moved an application today for the court to release the passport to enable Dr Asiama travel to Nigeria.
Counsel explained that his clients need to urgently travel to Nigeria, adding that the travel had become very necessary.
Quarantine yourself
The prosecutor, Ms Hilda Craig, did not oppose the application but advised Dr Asiama to self – quarantine when he returns from Nigeria owning to the deadly Covid – 19 virus.
Nigeria was the first sub Saharan African country to confirm a case of the virus in its territory after an Italian who works there tested positive after returning to Nigeria from Italy.
“When he returns we hope that his passport will be returned to the court and he should quarantine himself for some few days”, the senior state attorney said.
Justice Mensah also voiced similar sentiment and said the confirmation of the virus in Nigeria and neighboring countries was a matter of concern.
He granted the application and ordered the court’s Registrar to release the passport and further ordered Dr Asiama to return the passport upon his return and also inform the Attorney- General of his return
