adminFidelis Munyoro Assistant News Editor
Ghanaian business mogul Kingsley Ghansah, who is at the centre of the US$6 million diamond bribery scandal, had his appeal against conviction and sentence at the High Court struck of the court roll. Ghansah, who was on bail pending appeal fled the country after obtaining a fake warrant of release from the High Court through under hand dealings.
Yesterday, his appeal against both conviction and sentence was struck off the court roll after his lawyers failed to appear before the higher court sitting as an appeals court.
Justice Charles Hungwe struck the matter off the roll with the concurrence of Justice Susan Mavangira.
Mr Chris Mutangadura of the Attorney-General’s Office confirmed the development.
“The matter was struck off the roll because Ghansah and his lawyers did not come to court to prosecute the appeal,” said Mutangadura adding that he was ready to argue that Ghansah, who should not be given audience because he is a fugitive of justice.
Ghansah was convicted and sentenced to a five-year term of imprisonment by Harare magistrate Don Ndirowei in 2012, for illegally trading in gold.
He sneaked out of Zimbabwe while on bail pending appeal.
This was after he was granted US$10 000 bail coupled with stringent conditions by High Court judge Justice Hlekani Mwayera.
Ghansah was ordered to reside at number 24 Mclaunghlin, Kensington, Harare until the determination of the appeal.
He was also required to report once a week at Avondale Police Station and surrender his passport.
that he, together with his business partner, bribed former Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation chairman Godwills Masimirembwa with US$6 million.
But Mr Masimirembwa denies the allegations amid reports that Ghansah and his partner failed to raise the initial US$15 million investment capital required to mine diamonds in Chiadzwa.
Online Reporter