The fourth accused person in the ongoing trial in the case of the Republic and Ato Essien and three others has been acquitted and discharged by an Accra High court.
The court ruled that prosecution failed to lead sufficient evidence against the fourth accused person Kate Quartey-Papafio, a Businesswoman.
The Presiding Judge, Justice Eric Kyei-Baffour, ordered the first accused person who is a former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the defunct Capital Bank William Ato Essien and two others to open their defence.
This was after the court had dismissed their submissions of no case filed in the ongoing trial.
Following request from their lawyers for more time to prepare, he adjourned the case to July 22.
On April 29, the State closed its case after calling 17 witnesses to prove its case but the accused persons Ato Essien, Tetteh Nettey, Fitzgerald Odonkor and Kate Quartey-Papafio, who were to open their defence filed applications for submission of no case.
Justice Kyei Baffour ruled that the State has led sufficient evidence that warrants the accused persons to be invited to open their defence.
The accused persons are facing 26 charges, some of which are Abetment to steal, conspiracy to steal, money laundering, and stealing. According to the court, the state has been able to establish a prima facie case against the first to third accused persons.
