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MPs angry at Italian
court for wanting part of loot recovered from Ghanaian
Embassy employee
Accra, March 16, Ghanadot/GNA-Members of Parliament on
Monday registered their reservation on a ruling by an
Italian court that part of 36,000 euros, recovered from Mr.
Stanley Laryea, ex-employee of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, accused of fraud should be paid to Italy.
Mr. Akwasi Osei Adjei, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional
Co-operation NEPAD had told the House, while answering
questions that an internal enquiry led to the arrest of Mr
Laryea following loss of monies, pilfering of blank
passports, burning of some dual citizenship application
forms and stealing of 3000 euros in the Ghana Embassy in
Italy.
The theft was discovered last year March, and when a search
was conducted in the house of Mr Laryea, then employee of
Ghana Embassy it revealed Italy, police found 248 blank
passport booklets, Embassy of Ghana Stamps, 9,000 euros and
1,550 pounds sterling cash.
Other items found in the house were eight new cell phones
and 11 Ghanaian passport booklets fraudulently issued.
Mr Laryea was kept in Police custody pending trial and the
Embassy remained in close contact with the Italian Embassy
over the period of the incarceration of the suspect.
Mr Osei Adjei said the Embassy learnt that a court in Rome
had convicted Mr Laryea last December and issued him with 16
months suspended sentence and released him later.
"The Embassy also learned that the court had ruled that part
of the 36, 000 euros recovered from Mr Laryea would be
confiscated to the host state.
" ... The Embassy requested the Italian Foreign Ministry for
assistance to obtain a review of the case, and sought
audience for further discussions on the matter," Mr Osei
Adjei said.
However, despite repeated reminders, the Italian Foreign
Ministry has to date not replied nor granted audience."
GNA
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