Former Ghana High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Emmanuel Victor Smith has admitted buying state car before the Mahama government exited office.
According to him, an offer was made to him to buy a saloon car and he paid for thus cannot be accused of illegally possessing a state car.
Mr. Smith’s comments confirm claims that some officials in the erstwhile National Democratic Congress (NDC) government purchased some of the state vehicles listed as missing by the Nana Akufo-Addo government.
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A list has emerged, detailing how the NDC government auctioned about 250 vehicles belonging to the state to its officials.
According to a list published by Daily Guide newspaper, the mass sale of the vehicles – majority of which were offered at ridiculous prices – was done between December 23, 2016 and January 7, 2017.
The state vehicles were allegedly sold at give-away prices – at the time then President John Mahama had outlawed the sale of government properties to appointees.
In all, there were about 86 Toyota Camry vehicles, 15 Toyota Avalons, 54 Toyota Corollas, 52 Toyota Avensis vehicles and 17 Nissan Sentras auctioned to NDC members.
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The rest include 55 Hyudai i10s, 9 BMWs, 8 VW Passats, 5 Nissan Teanas, 9 Hyndai Elantras and 6 Hyudai Accents, among others.
The beneficiaries are being urged to return to vehicles most of whom have been declared missing by government.
Reacting to the issue on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Thursday, Victor Smith said such calls are misplaced.
He explained that, he bought and paid for his saloon car therefore cannot be held liable for any crime.
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“A car was on offer and I paid for it; I didn’t steal a state so no one should ask me to return it” Victor Smith opined.