Jake Breathes Fire On NDC; Denies Selling Bungalow...Says Its Still Being Occupied By Nii Lantey

A member of the Communication team of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Jake Obetsebi Lamptey of selling his bungalow for $5 million dollars. The bungalow, located at Number 2 Mango Street, Ridge, has been the subject of a legal battle for years. Jake Obetsebi Lamptey bought the bungalow in 2008 under a redevelopment policy introduced in the 1990s. This was after he occupied it for eight years as minister under the erstwhile Kufuor regime. When the NDC led by Professor John Evans Atta Mills won the 2008 elections, the was reluctant in handing over the bungalow to the new owner and was allocated to Nii Lantey Vanderpuiye who was then an aide to the late Professor. The NPP National Chair was accused Jake of dabbling in conflict of interest and abuse of office and his acquisition of the said property challenged. Subsequently, two leading NDC members, Messrs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Omane Boamah took the matter to the Supreme Court, but the court ruled in favour of the NPP National Chairman. A high court subsequently instructed government to hand over keys to the bungalow to Mr Obetsebi Lamptey, but current occupant of the house, Nii Lantey Vanderpuije, is yet to comply with the court's order. But contributing to panel discussions on �Kokrokoo� with sit-in host, Nana Yaw Kesse, Dela Edem alleged per his investigations, the NPP chair has already even sold the said property. According to him, Jake �even failed to pay utility bills when he was occupying the bungalow�. However, Mr. Asamoah Gyamfi, a personal assistant to the NPP National Chair, in an interview during PeaceFM News@12, denied the accusation, describing it as malicious and unfounded. According to him, Jake could not have sold the said bungalow because it is still being occupied by the deputy minister. He also discounted the assertion that the NPP National Chairman did not pay his utility bills when he was occupied the bungalow. �How can you sell a bungalow that is being occupied (by an NDC dep minister)? Everything he said was not true�a court of competent jurisdiction has ruled that he acquired it legally. Besides, is Jake the only person to have benefitted from that policy? Even the NDC's General Secretary, Asiedu Nketiah and former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, are all beneficiaries....they purchased state property as well. Why is the NDC not concerned about that...he should use the same platform to apologise to Jake for bringing his name into disrepute next week or.....,� he demanded.