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Sao Tome officials in graft case | Sao Tome officials in graft case |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Several former high-ranking government officials have appeared in court in Sao Tome, in the island nation's largest corruption scandal. | |
But proceedings were adjourned after the defence said the judge should be barred from the "farcical" case. | |
Millions of dollars from the accounts of a body created in 1993 to manage foreign aid money was allegedly used to pay for cars and election campaigns. | |
The accused, who include two former prime ministers, deny any wrongdoing. | The accused, who include two former prime ministers, deny any wrongdoing. |
Among the alleged costs incurred to the now-defunct Gabinete de Gestao das Ajudas, or GGA, was the bill for redecorating the house of ex-Prime Minister Maria das Neves. | Among the alleged costs incurred to the now-defunct Gabinete de Gestao das Ajudas, or GGA, was the bill for redecorating the house of ex-Prime Minister Maria das Neves. |
Another former Prime Minister, Guilherme Posser da Costa, is also charged. | Another former Prime Minister, Guilherme Posser da Costa, is also charged. |
The defence lawyer said the presiding judge had led a hearing in an earlier stage of the same case, which would be against Sao Tome's constitution. | |
"This tribunal does not have the credibility to deal with this case," he said, calling it a "farce" and an "embarrassment". | |
The BBC's Maimouna Jallow in Sao Tome says the accused have defended themselves with a common explanation: | The BBC's Maimouna Jallow in Sao Tome says the accused have defended themselves with a common explanation: |
They say they used GGA cash because the government simply did not have enough in its coffers to foot the bill. | They say they used GGA cash because the government simply did not have enough in its coffers to foot the bill. |
But our correspondent adds the corruption allegations could have dire consequences in a country where about 90% of its budget comes from foreign aid. | But our correspondent adds the corruption allegations could have dire consequences in a country where about 90% of its budget comes from foreign aid. |