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Tag: Ambulance trial

  • “The MP had been unfairly targeted” – Bright Simons on Ato Forson in ambulance case

    Vice President of IMANI Africa, Bright Simons, has emphasised that the trial of Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, former Deputy Finance Minister and Minority Leader, over the ambulance issue is a blatant example of political persecution.

    Simons argued that the trial aims to weaken democratic accountability and, in his article “Ghana’s Ambulance Saga is Crazier Than You Think,” he suggested that Dr. Forson has been unfairly targeted.

    “Coming in the wake of the government’s biggest second-term crisis in the newly split parliament, the prosecution was immediately condemned by some independent analysts, myself included, as pure political persecution and an attempt to undermine democratic accountability,” he stated.

    He further stated, “It was apparent then, as it is now, that the MP had been unfairly targeted, and some of us said so.”

    On Tuesday, July 30, the Court of Appeal acquitted and discharged Dr Forson, thereby overturning the trial Court’s order for him to present his defence in the case.

    The ambulance case involving Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, former Deputy Finance Minister, and businessman Richard Jakpa centers on allegations of financial misconduct in the procurement of ambulances for Ghana’s Ministry of Health.

    The case dates back to 2014, when the Ministry of Health signed a contract with Big Sea General Trading Limited for the supply of 200 ambulances. Dr. Forson, who was then the Deputy Finance Minister, authorised the release of €2.37 million for the purchase of the first 30 ambulances.

    The prosecution claims that these ambulances were defective and did not meet the required specifications, leading to financial loss to the state.

    Richard Jakpa, involved in facilitating the transaction, is also accused of playing a role in the procurement process that allegedly led to the delivery of substandard vehicles.

    Both Dr. Forson and Jakpa face charges, including wilfully causing financial loss to the state, and their trial has sparked debates over whether it is a legitimate pursuit of accountability or a case of political persecution.

  • FULL TEXT: Court of Appeal’s ruling acquitting Ato Forson, Jakpa in ambulance case

    FULL TEXT: Court of Appeal’s ruling acquitting Ato Forson, Jakpa in ambulance case

    The Court of Appeal cleared Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and Richard Jakpa, the third accused, in the Ambulance Case.

    This 2:1 ruling reversed an earlier decision by the trial court that had mandated Dr. Forson and Jakpa to present their defense.

    The charges against them involved allegedly causing a financial loss of €2.37 million to the state through a deal for procuring ambulances for the Government of Ghana.

    In the 2:1 verdict, Justice Alex Poku Acheampong, who presided, was in dissent, while Justices Kweku Tawiah ACKAH-Boafo and Philip Bright Mensah supported the accused’s pleas.

    Attached is a certified copy of the Court of Appeal’s judgment. The Attorney General has announced plans to appeal the court’s decision.

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  • Chief Justice rejects Richard Jakpa’s petition accusing the trial judge of unfairness

    Chief Justice rejects Richard Jakpa’s petition accusing the trial judge of unfairness

    Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has dismissed a petition from businessman Richard Jakpa, who alleged unfair treatment and rights violations by trial judge Afia Serwaa Botwe.

    Jakpa, the third accused in the high-profile ambulance trial, claimed he faced unfair treatment and requested the judge’s transfer, accusing the prosecution of heckling him during cross-examination.

    The Chief Justice stated that Jakpa did not provide sufficient evidence to support his claims. Jakpa expressed surprise at the Chief Justice’s decision, insisting that court recordings could corroborate his allegations.

    “I received a response from the Chief Justice stating that I didn’t provide evidence, so she cannot transfer the judge. She didn’t say my claims were untrue.

    The evidence is in the court recordings, which the Chief Justice could have requested, but she refused to do that and said there was no evidence,” Jakpa said on JoyNews.

    Following Richard Jakpa’s complaint of unfair treatment, he has informed the public that he formally approached the Chief Justice, raising concerns about what he views as violations of his fundamental rights and entitlements during the court proceedings.

    “Right from the beginning of this trial till today, I have not been treated fairly by the judge. I wrote a petition to the Chief Justice detailing instances of bias, abuse of my human rights, denial of legal representation, and even the right to visit the washroom,” Jakpa stated.

  • “My Lord, I wasn’t treated fairly”! – Richard Jakpa ‘clashes’ with judge in court over ambulance trial

    “My Lord, I wasn’t treated fairly”! – Richard Jakpa ‘clashes’ with judge in court over ambulance trial

    The final day of Richard Jakpa‘s cross-examination by the Attorney-General in the ongoing ambulance trial witnessed intense exchanges between Jakpa and the High Court judge, Justice Afia Serwaah Asare-Botwe.

    The confrontation highlighted Jakpa’s frequent repetitions and the judge’s efforts to maintain the trial’s momentum.

    Throughout the cross-examination, Justice Asare-Botwe repeatedly urged Jakpa, CEO of Jakpa@business, to avoid reiterating points already covered.

    She reminded him that his approach was slowing the trial, particularly when he referred to documents already submitted as evidence.

    “Mr. Jakpa, please, you have already made reference to the document between Mid-Sea and the Honourable Agyemang Mensah. Allow the Honourable Attorney General…” Justice Asare-Botwe began, only to be interrupted by Jakpa.

    “My lord, that is not the only document,” Jakpa retorted.

    Justice Asare-Botwe insisted, “Mr. Jakpa, don’t worry. Even if you want to make references, and you don’t, the addresses are there to direct the court to all the possible exhibits the court should look at. Allow the Attorney General to ask his question.”

    Jakpa responded, “My Lord, I understand you, but the issue is I’m in the box, and I have to answer them.”

    The judge, clearly frustrated, said, “Mr. Jakpa, it looks like you don’t want to listen to anything.”

    Jakpa replied, “My Lord, I thought I wasn’t being treated fairly.”

    Justice Asare-Botwe responded sharply, “You’ve said that many times, and I have heard you. I have already insisted that when it is quarter past three, the Attorney General should stop. It is only fair then that I give him the chance to ask his questions.”

    Despite her efforts to maintain order, Jakpa continued to interrupt, prompting the judge to assert, “Don’t interrupt me. I would really appreciate it if you didn’t. I have already told you also that these documents you want to keep referring to are already in evidence. This is about the 20th time I’m saying it. Your lawyer will have the opportunity to refer to them at length in their addresses, so please allow him to ask the question.”

    The day after this heated session, on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, Richard Jakpa petitioned the Chief Justice regarding Justice Asare-Botwe’s conduct. Jakpa claimed he had not been treated fairly throughout the trial.

    “Right from the beginning of this trial until today, I have not been treated fairly at all by the judge. I am saying that because I have written a petition to the Chief Justice on this. So, I am not speaking out of a vacuum, and it is recorded. It is documented,” Jakpa stated.

    In his petition, Jakpa enumerated various instances of what he described as bias, abuse of his human rights, denial of legal representation, and other grievances. “Even the right to visit the washroom and the judge at times engaging me as an accused in court when I am a witness,” he added.

  • Atta Mills’ 2009 SONA was the inspiration behind the idea of procuring ambulances – Jakpa

    Atta Mills’ 2009 SONA was the inspiration behind the idea of procuring ambulances – Jakpa

    Ghanaian entrepreneur Richard Jakpa has disclosed the origins of the government’s ambulance procurement, which has sparked controversy and legal proceedings. The Attorney General has alleged that Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson caused financial loss amounting to 2.3 million Euros through the purchase of allegedly sub-standard ambulances, with Mr. Jakpa being the third accused in the case.

    Mr. Jakpa has countered these claims, accusing the Attorney General of conducting a witch-hunt against Dr. Forson. In an interview with JoyNews’ Elton Brobbey on ‘The Pulse’, Mr. Jakpa detailed the steps leading to his involvement with Big Sea Company Limited to facilitate the deal on behalf of the government.

    According to him, “the blueprint, everything emanated from me because I am an entrepreneur.

    “The first State of the Nation Address (SONA) by Atta Mills, spoke about the lack of ambulances in the country. And it was serious and that was one of his priorities. So as soon as I heard it, as an entrepreneur, I immediately put the team together and tasked them to go across the country to find out the state of ambulances.

    “They went round, they spent some time and we realised we had about 34 ambulances or so in the country. And that was serious. So we put together a proposal,” he said.

    He said he contacted his bank at the time and secured suitable financial arrangements and then proceeded to present the proposal to secure ambulances for the Health Ministry which included a loan facility.

    “And luckily for me, I was able to convince the bank. They sought approval from the underwriters in South Africa. It was approved and then they ring-fenced the 15.8 million euros for this project. And gave me the term sheets. They signed it nice, it was signed.

    So I attached it to the proposal, and then wrote officially to the Ministry of Health… Their own is a technical specification of the ambulance but the financial term sheet is not within their domain, it’s for the Minister of Finance.

    “So, therefore, they sent the whole document to the Minister of Finance and they copied my company that the health [Ministry] was interested because it wasn’t going to be a burden on the budget. It will be three years to pay and there’s even a moratorium, so it was easy for them.

    So as soon as they copied my company, then I realized that the government was interested, health was interested and they only wanted Finance advice on term sheets, which falls under the domain of finance. So as soon as we got a letter we said okay, then we’re in business. We started scouting out for manufacturers, who had our technical specification,” he explained.

    Following this initial phase, Mr. Jakpa’s exploration led him to Big Sea Company Limited, where negotiations were finalized in 2011.

    He explained that while he initially became Big Sea’s agent in Ghana, their attention to detail eventually led them to engage Jakpa@Business for all their operations across West Africa, except Nigeria.

  • Jakpa admits recorded AG audio was doctored

    Jakpa admits recorded AG audio was doctored

    Third accused in the ambulance case, Richard Jakpa, has admitted that the audio recording of his conversation with the Attorney General (AG), which is in circulation and was presented as evidence, is doctored.

    He confirmed in open court that the recording, submitted by the accused as Exhibit 10, does not capture the full conversation.

    Jakpa stated that only the parts of the conversation that would support their case were included.

    Earlier, the Court had admitted an audio recording into evidence, capturing a conversation between Godfred Dame and Richard Jakpa, the third accused in the case.

    Dr. Ato Forson, the current Minority Leader in Parliament, and businessman Richard Jakpa face allegations of deliberately causing financial loss to the state amounting to 2.37 million euros through the procurement of ambulances.

    Both have pleaded not guilty and are currently awaiting trial.

    Mr. Jakpa is expected to endure a thorough examination from the Prosecution, anticipated to last at least five hours, in accordance with the Case Management Completion plan.

    Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal filed by the legal representative of Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, against an Accra High Court’s decision to dismiss an application for mistrial in the ambulance trial.

    Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, presiding over the ambulance trial, ruled that the application filed by former Deputy Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson was not tenable.

  • Full text: 39-page ruling that dismissed Ato Forson’s application for a mistrial

    Full text: 39-page ruling that dismissed Ato Forson’s application for a mistrial

    An Accra High Court has dismissed an application for mistrial in the ambulance trial.

    On Thursday, June 6, 2024, Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, presiding over the ambulance trial, ruled that the application filed by former Deputy Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson was not tenable.

    Dr. Ato Forson and co-accused Richard Jakpa had alleged professional and prosecutorial misconduct on the part of Attorney-General Godfred Dame.

    Their application referenced a tape in which Dame and Jakpa were purportedly discussing matters before the courts.

    However, the judge found no statutory basis to declare a mistrial or to investigate the Attorney-General’s conduct.

    “In our body of laws, as far as the legislation or case law is concerned, there is no provision for the court to declare a mistrial on the basis of the alleged misconduct of a lawyer, either for the prosecution or the defence,” portions of the 39-page judgement read.

    The court also declined jurisdiction to order an inquiry into the Attorney-General’s conduct, directing Dr. Ato Forson to seek redress from the General Legal Council if he wished to pursue the matter further.

    The trial judge advised the Attorney-General to stay away from the trial, citing the leaked audio tape and its contents, which raised concerns about Dame’s interaction with Jakpa.

    Despite these concerns, the judge ruled that they did not constitute grounds to halt the case.

    In response, the Attorney-General has stated that while he acknowledges the judge’s advice regarding the case, he does not intend to recuse himself, expressing his commitment to prosecute the matter to its conclusion.

    THE-REPUBLIC-v-CASSIEL-ATO-FORSON-TLP-HC-2024-15Download
  • Head of Thy Church Triumphant – AG’s victory song after court hearing

    Head of Thy Church Triumphant – AG’s victory song after court hearing

    Attorney-General (AG) Godfred Dame walked out of the courtroom in high spirits after a proceeding in the ongoing ambulance case trial.

    This comes after about five applications filed by the first accused person and the third accused, Dr. Ato Forson and businessman Richard Jakpa, respectively, were thrashed by the court.

    The applications are an order of inquiry into the conduct of the Attorney-General following the allegations made by Richard Jakpa to the effect that the A-G has been calling him at odd hours; an order of mistrial with the aim of terminating the case; a stay of proceedings until the application is determined; and a motion asking the court to strike out charges against the businessman.

    However, the court asserted that the GLC is the appropriate body to address the conduct of the Attorney General.

    In reaction to this, the AG asked how he anticipated the outcome of the case, and he began to sing a hymn titled Head of Thy Church Triumphant by Charles Wesley, which was a sign of his victory over his opponent and a vindication from all accusations levelled against him.

    “We joyfully adore Thee;
    Till Thou appear, Thy members here
    Shall sing like those in glory:
    We lift our hearts and voices…..” he sang.

    Adding that “the most important point in court today is that all the applications filed by the applicants have been dismissed in their entirety, all five applications have failed.

    And I think in reaction to this , it clearly shows that a group of people in this country who ride on the manipulation of facts, distortion and deception of the public, only seeking to mislead and deceive the public, have been exposed today.“

  • Justice Kulendi’s home: My meeting with Jakpa was only by accident – AG in court filing

    Justice Kulendi’s home: My meeting with Jakpa was only by accident – AG in court filing

    Attorney-General (AG) Godfred Yeboah Dame, through his legal counsel, has filed documents at the High Court opposing an application made by Richard Jakpa, an accused person in a high-profile financial crimes trial.

    Earlier this week, Jakpa, who is involved in the Ambulance Case, requested the court to dismiss the charges against him or stay proceedings.

    He accused the Attorney-General of unethical conduct, including attempts to coerce him into implicating Cassiel Ato Forson, the first accused in the trial.

    In his May 31, 2024, filings, A-G Dame thoroughly addressed Jakpa’s allegations, including claims of meetings held without Jakpa’s legal representation, as required by law.

    Paragraph 13 of the document, titled “Affidavit in Opposition to Motion for an Order Striking Out the Charges and Terminating the Proceedings or Alternatively Staying the Proceedings Against the Third Accused/Applicant,” discussed the involvement of a Supreme Court Justice in the meetings between Dame and Jakpa.

    Paragraph 14 described the May 23, 2024, incident where Jakpa publicly accused the Attorney-General of witness tampering as part of a broader manipulation of facts and untruths underlying his application.

    “That in specific response to paragraphs 13, 14, 15 and 16 of the affidavit in support, the Respondent says that the applicant again deliberately puts a spin on the facts surrounding the so called meeting with the Attorney-General.

    The Applicant knows, as has already been indicated by his counsel to the trial judge in chambers, that, it was his cousin, Yonny Kulendi JSC, who invited the Attorney-General to the distinguished Justice of the Supreme Court’s residence, an invitation the Attorney-General honoured out of respect, only for the Applicant to show up,” paragraph 15 read.

    The following paragraph clarified: “That the respondent says that the Attorney-General has never met the Applicant anywhere outside the courtroom, except in Kulendi JSC’s residence.”

    The Attorney-General’s stance aligns with that of his spokesperson, Wilberforce Mensah, and a report by the pro-government Asaase Radio.

    The report stated that the A-G had been “ambushed” by Jakpa while he (Dame) was at the home of Justice Yonny Kulendi.

    The A-G wants the application by Jakpa dismissed by the court describing it as “a desperate smokescreen set up” to “abort his legitimate prosecution for the role he played in causing colossal financial loss to the State.”

  • NPP doesn’t know what is coming– Edudzi on Ato Forson’s ambulance trial

    NPP doesn’t know what is coming– Edudzi on Ato Forson’s ambulance trial

    Director of Legal Affairs for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Godwin Edudzi Tameklo, has cautioned the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to brace themselves for the escalating controversy surrounding the trial of Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.

    Dr. Forson faces allegations of causing financial loss to the state in the procurement of 200 ambulances.

    In an interview on Neat FM on May 31, 2024, Edudzi asserted that the NDC possesses evidence indicating that the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration, led by Attorney General Godfred Dame, is exerting efforts to imprison Dr. Ato Forson unjustly.

    He highlighted an audio recording of a phone conversation between Godfred Dame and the third defendant in Dr. Ato Forson’s trial, Richard Jakpa, where the AG is heard pressuring Jakpa to testify against the Minority Leader. Additionally, Edudzi referenced WhatsApp messages between the two individuals, released by the NDC, as further evidence of wrongdoing.

    “If you can recall, when this issue started, my brother Nana B ignorantly stated that the recording was done at the home of a Supreme Court judge. On Tuesday, the recording that was released, was it in a house? Wasn’t it a phone call?

    “So, quite clearly, our brothers and sisters in the NPP do not know what is coming. They have no idea,” he said in Twi.

    The NDC legal director urged NPP members who are making noise about the trial to take a clue from the Attorney General who has gone quiet since the revelations started.

    He made these remarks while reacting to a petition by Dr. Ato Forson to the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, for the remaining proceedings of the trial to be broadcast live.

    About the allegations against Godfred Dame:

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC), as promised, presented evidence implicating Attorney General and Minister of Justice Godfred Dame in the ongoing trial of Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.

    The NDC accused Godfred Dame of engaging in unethical and unprofessional behavior, alleging that businessman Richard Jakpa, the third accused in the ambulance procurement trial, claimed in court that the AG had meetings with him to discuss implicating Ato Forson.

    Jakpa alleged that the Attorney General sought his cooperation to incriminate Dr. Ato Forson, a claim Dame vehemently denied.

    During a press conference in Accra on May 28, 2024, the NDC played a 16-minute audio recording of a phone conversation between Godfred Dame and Richard Jakpa, recorded on the day Jakpa was scheduled to testify in court.

    In the recording, Dame is heard urging Jakpa to testify in a manner inconsistent with the explanation Jakpa provided to him. Prior to the AG’s request, Jakpa had asserted that Ato Forson had committed no wrongdoing with the LCs he signed, and he explained that the contract was for the purchase of 200 vehicles with 4 LCs.

    “With the security from the government being the LC, the condition precedent… the contract for 200 vehicles in tranches of 50, 50, 50, 50. The contract is one contract for 200 ambulances which has been broken down within the contract.

    “You establish an LC for every 50 tranche. So, you have four LCs for the 200 ambulances,” Jakpa explained.

    Godfred Dame then stated that the third accused should accept his explanation because it wouldn’t cause him any harm.

    “For that part, I disagree with you because if you look at the terms of the contract, it is quite clear, and it should not be difficult for you to accept because it doesn’t put you in any problem. You are not the Minister of Health, and you are not the Minister of Finance, so it doesn’t put you in any difficulty,” the Attorney General is heard saying.

    However, Jakpa insisted that he could not grant Dame’s request because there were letters that confirmed the arrangement in the contract.

    “No, the problem I have in accepting that for you is that there are letters that confirm [details of the transaction]. So I can’t go against what the letters say,” he said.

    In the recording, Dame persistently urged Jakpa to adopt his stance, assuring him that it wouldn’t pose any issues. However, Jakpa remained resolute, refusing to testify contrary to the truth he knew.

    Furthermore, the Attorney General can be heard advising Jakpa to concoct a medical excuse to facilitate his travel.

  • Ambulance trial: Richard Jakpa submits motion to have charges against him dismissed

    Ambulance trial: Richard Jakpa submits motion to have charges against him dismissed

    The third defendant in the ongoing ambulance trial, Richard Jakpa, has filed a court application seeking to have the charges against him dropped or, alternatively, to have the proceedings halted.

    His lawyers submitted the application on Thursday, May 30, 2024.

    In the application, Mr. Jakpa contends that the charges and proceedings initiated by Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame amount to an abuse of court processes and violate the provisions of the 1992 Constitution.

    He claims that the Attorney-General is abusing his constitutional authority by prosecuting him without proper justification.

    Mr. Jakpa also alleges that, in private discussions, the Attorney-General admitted there is no case against him.

    This assertion further bolsters Mr. Jakpa’s argument that the prosecution is baseless and constitutes an abuse of power.

    “The Attorney-General at whose instance the Third Accused/ Applicant is being prosecuted in the instant suit has brought the charges and instituted the proceedings in abuse of the process of the court and contrary to his constitutional obligations under articles 23 and 296 of the 1992 Constitution.”

    Last week, Richard Jakpa, the third defendant in the case, alleged that the Attorney-General had urged him to give false testimony against Dr. Ato Forson during the trial.

    To bolster Mr. Jakpa’s allegations, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) released a 16-minute phone recording purportedly capturing a conversation between Attorney-General Godfred Dame and Mr. Jakpa.

    The recording allegedly reveals Mr. Dame instructing Jakpa on what statements to make in court to incriminate Dr. Ato Forson.

    At a press conference on May 28, NDC Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia asserted that the tape exposed a coaching session intended to manipulate Mr. Jakpa’s testimony.

    APPLICATION-FOR-AN-ODER-STRIKING-OUT-THE-CHARGES-THE-REPUBLIC-v.-CASSIEL-ATO-FORSON-2-ORS-1Download
  • Ambulance trial: Ato Forson calls for live broadcast of trial hearings

    Ambulance trial: Ato Forson calls for live broadcast of trial hearings

    Minority Leader in Parliament, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has petitioned Chief Justice Her Ladyship Justice Torkornoo, through his attorneys, to have the ongoing ambulance trial proceedings broadcast live.

    The former Deputy Finance Minister argues that this request aims to promote accountability and transparency, thereby enhancing the pursuit of justice for all parties involved in the trial.

    The Ato Forson-ambulance case involves allegations of financial misconduct related to the procurement of defective ambulances.

    The trial is in progress, with Dr. Forson maintaining his innocence.

    The most recent development includes his request for live broadcast of the proceedings to promote transparency.

  • Don’t cast a slur on the judiciary – Judge warns Sammy Gyamfi amid Ambulance trial

    Don’t cast a slur on the judiciary – Judge warns Sammy Gyamfi amid Ambulance trial

    During the trial of Republic v Ato Forson & Richard Jakpa & Anor, an incident occurred involving Sammy Gyamfi, the Communications Director of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which led to a stern warning from Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe.

    Sammy Gyamfi was called to approach the Bench, but Justice Asare Botwe redirected him to the dock, where she questioned him about his conduct during a previous court session. She noted a difference in his demeanor inside and outside the courtroom, referring to his behavior during political speeches.

    Lawyers for Dr. Ato Forson clarified the timing of Gyamfi’s entrance to the courtroom, following which Gyamfi made comments to the press about the proceedings. Satisfied with the timing, Justice Asare Botwe discharged Gyamfi from the dock.

    The judge then addressed both parties and counsel, warning them against making prejudicial comments on the case. She reminded them of the need for responsible statements, particularly in relation to the reputation of the court.

    Gyamfi attempted to clarify a statement he was alleged to have made, but Justice Asare Botwe emphasized the importance of respect for the court. She instructed Gyamfi to be more responsible in his statements, emphasizing that lawyers should not engage in disrespectful behavior towards the Bench.

    The court adjourned to the 4th of June, 2024, after which Justice Asare Botwe instructed Deputy Attorney General Dr. Bassit, learned Tuah Yeboah, Mrs. Marrietta Oppong, and Mr. Sammy Gyamfi to report to her chambers.

    Background

    The incident stemmed from comments made by Sammy Gyamfi during a press conference on the 23rd of May, where he sought to impugn the integrity of the Attorney General following claims made by Richard Jakpa, the second accused in the Ato Forson trial, that the Attorney General sought his cooperation in convicting Dr. Ato Forson.

  • Ato Forson debunks claim of applying for plea bargain in ambulance trial

    Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Minority Leader, has denied media rumors that he has sought a plea bargain in the continuing ambulance issue.

    These reports, according to the Member of Parliament for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam, are the work of his adversaries aiming to destroy his image.

    Dr. Ato Forson asked the public to dismiss these reports in a news release released on Thursday, October 5, noting that they lack any factual basis.

    “The publication is without any factual basis and an attempt to court public disaffection to the person of Hon Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.”

    He further stated that he has not applied to the Honorable Court or the Attorney General’s Department for a plea bargain or an out-of-court settlement.

    Dr. Ato Forson stated that he is ready to defend himself and that he has already begun his defense in the ongoing case.

    “The record would show that the Honorable Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has opened his defense in the trial and has since called some of his witnesses.”

    “The Honourable Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has throughout maintained his innocence, having pleaded not guilty to the charges.”

    Meanwhile, Dr. Abdul Baasit Bamba, leading the legal team for the Minority Leader, had previously submitted a request for the judge to disqualify herself from the case. Dr. Bamba contended that it was legally improper for the judge to preside over the motion for her own recusal, citing concerns of partiality.

    The judge had faced allegations of partiality from another defendant in the case, Richard Jakpa, who had clashed with her during a hearing. While the Chief Justice had indicated that the judge could continue handling the case, Dr. Bamba argued that the accusations of bias were serious and warranted consideration by a different judge.

    He pointed to specific instances where the judge’s remarks had unsettled his client and raised doubts about receiving a fair trial.

    Read the minority leader’s full statement below:

    FALSE PUBLICATION

    The attention of the Minority Leader, Hon Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has been drawn to a malicious publication on the front page of the Thursday, 5th October, 2023 edition of the Daily Guide Newspaper.

    We wish to state that the said publication is without any factual basis and merely an attempt to court public disaffection for the person of Hon. Dr Cassiel Ato Forson. As the minority leader of Ghana’s Parliament, The Hon. Ato Forson values the role that the media plays in informing the public and fostering a sense of community. However, it is disheartening to witness the dissemination of information that appears to be driven by malicious intent rather than a commitment to truthful reporting.

    The Hon. Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has not applied to the Honorable Court or the Attorney General Department for a plea bargain or any out of court settlement of the pending charges being prosecuted against him. Indeed, the record would show that the Honorable Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has opened his defence in the trial and has since called some of his witnesses.

    The Honourable Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has throughout maintained his innocence having pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The lawyers for the 3rd Accused person have indicated their readiness together with their principal to settle the case and the Honorable Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has clearly indicated that he has no objection to the desire of the 3rd Accused to settle the matter without more.

    The Honourable Dr Cassiel Ato Forson believes that this latest mischievous publication by the Daily Guide is basically to divert attention from the #OccupyBOG demonstration. The Honourable Dr Cassiel Ato Forson cannot be distracted by this calumny, as he remains focused for God and Country.

    In the interest of promoting a healthy and constructive public discourse, The minority leader kindly requests that the Daily Guide Newspaper retracts the content in question and issue a public statement acknowledging the lack of substance in the allegations made against him. By doing so, you will demonstrate your commitment to journalistic integrity.

    ENDS

    Godwin Kudzo Tameklo Esq

    (Member, Defence Team)