According to him, that is the character of the NPP National Chair and for that reason, will not be surprised if he (Jake) has set aside some of the money meant for the orphans and widows of the May 9 tragic incident.
126 soccer fans were crushed to death on May 9, 2001 after a stampede eclipsed a rather entertaining clash between rivals Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko. Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey was the Chief of Staff when the disaster that claimed 126 lives occurred and Mr Quashigah suspects that money donated by individuals and corporate organisations which were collected by Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey for the benefit of families of the victims was not accounted for.
“When you look at the character of Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, he is one that you are tempted to suspect pocketed some of the money. The reason being that is, he’s been in public office and we all know what he did… He is one that we need to look out for closely. Jake believes in grabbing state property left, right and center; reaping where he has not sown and all that, and it will not surprise me if he has made some few bucks here and there. He should make time to tell us how much he collected, instead of being silent for 10 years over the matter…,” the NDC National Propaganda Secretary said.
Speaking to Radio Gold in an interview, Mr. Quashigah accused the former Chief of Staff and Minister for Presidential Affairs in the erstwhile Kufuor administration of embezzling funds that accrued from the stadium disaster. He said, so far as Mr. Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey superintended over the funds, he should be made to render account since there has been no proper accounts given. He said the different figures which have come up concerning the amount accumulated from the funds indicate that there is no transparency and accountability.
“…Who and who made the donations? We are aware lots and lots of groups made several donations and Jake never told anyone about it, even when questioned. How much exactly did he collect?” he asked.
He again said: “We are talking about accountability and transparency and if Jake is leading the NPP in their campaign, then the NPP is not a party to be voted for because Jake is not a man to be trusted. He is not a man who can be trusted at all. They should reconsider giving their mandate to the NPP. He was the one who collected the money so he should come out with the list so that we will know who gave what, and when. We are only looking at transparency.”
Mr. Quashigah added that he has informed the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), to investigate Mr. Jake Obetsebi Lamptey to determine how much was realized from the donations towards the May 9, 2001 Stadium Disaster fund and to what use the monies were put.
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