True NDC members should back off Woyome saga – Sam Pee Yarley

A leading member of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and a public interest lawyer, Sam Pee Yaley, has admonished all “true” members of the party to stay off the controversial Wayome judgement debt scandal. He said members and supporters of the party should not necessarily have to back Albert Agbesi Woyome because he is supposedly a member of the NDC. The businessman and NDC financier, since he was paid GHS58 million in a consent judgment debt, has enjoyed the support of leading members of the party and government. President Mills ordered investigations into the issue following a loud public outcry. The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) also called for a public inquiry into the matter. But persons who support Mr Woyome hold a strong belief he is being unnecessarily persecuted. A pro-NDC pressure group which pledged unflinching support for the businessman last week embarked on a demonstration Tuesday, petitioning government to arrest past officials in connection with the issue. The KNUST branch of the Tertiary Education Network of the NDC called on the government to immediately withdraw the case filed against Mr Woyome. But Sam Pee Yarley, contributing to a discourse on Peace FM’sKokrokoo Wednesday, described as nation wreckers those defending Woyome. He said if a party member faulted the laws of the land that person must be held responsible. He said Woyome should not be shielded because of his affiliation to the NDC and that his defence must be seen to be done only by his team of lawyers. The NDC guru advised all “true” members of the NDC to refrain from defending Woyome, especially, in the media and allow the courts to determine his innocence. Meanwhile Central Regional Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwamena Duncan, commenting on the issue, asked President Mills to take critical note of the advice proferred by Mr Yaley because he has been mandated by Ghanaians to protect the public purse. Duncan said the president cannot absolve himself from blame as far as the Woyome saga was concerned because he was earlier being protective of Woyome. Ghana/myjoyonline.com/Dorcas Efe Mensah