afrol News, 11 June - Ghana's elected member of parliament for Keta constituency who has been granted amnesty by President John Kufour on humanitarian grounds has returned to parliament.

Dan Abodapki, an MP of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) of former President John Rawlings, was grateful to President John Kufour.

Appearing for parliamentary business on Tuesday, the jailed MP was well received by the NDC deputies. He said his experiences would bring politicians on both ruling and opposition benches together.

Abodapki was convicted and sentenced by an Accra Fast Track High Court on all seven counts of conspiracy, defrauding by false pretences and willfully causing financial loss of US $400,000 to the state. The money was earmarked for a feasibility study for the establishment of a Science and Technology Community Park/Valley Project, which would enhance the export of non-traditional products.

Having served 18 months of his 10-year jail, the 57-year-old lawmaker was granted pardon by President Kufour.

Mr Abodapki however maintained his innocence, and vowed to go ahead with his pending appeal before the Appeals Court, believing that "the justice system will give me justice." The court is expected to deliver its verdict on 20 June.

He faulted the application of the law under which he was jailed. He promised to make a statement on the state of Ghana's prisons in parliament.

In another development, Ghana's Volta Regional Minister of the ruling New Patriotic Party of President Kufour (NPP) who survived assassination attempt was not allowed to rest in peace. Kofi Dzamesi was chased by the family of the man who died while allegedly attempting to assassinate him. Dxikunu Dan Agbale's family promised to either fight the minister spiritually or file a suit suit against him at the courts.

Agbale was allegedly shot dead by the police who claimed to have found a talisman and a sharp object on him.

Prior to his death, the deceased was invited by Mr Dzamesi on the pretext that he would buy a commercial vehicle for him. As a friend to the deceased's father, Dzamesi had taken care of Agbale's secondary and driving schools expenses.

Irate youths of Xipe and Agbado accused the minister of being responsible for Agbale's death.

Though police beefed up security at his residence, the minister said he was not disturbed by the looming threats, after all, his party would maintain power in the Volta Region.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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