Court of Appeal Sets Timelines for Defense Request in Ambulance Case
Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and Richard Jakpa have contested a High Court decision demanding they present their defense in a case where they are accused of causing financial loss to the state. The Court of Appeal has now set a schedule for the appeal process.
On Wednesday, June 19, 2024, a Court of Appeal panel, led by Justice Poku Acheampong, directed Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and Richard Jakpa to submit their written submissions within seven days. These submissions must be served to the Attorney General's Office. The Attorney General is then required to file a response within seven days of receiving the applicants' submissions. The panel, which also includes Justices Kweku Tawiah Ackaah-Boafo and Philip Bright Mensah, has set July 30, 2024, for delivering its decision.
Dr. Ato Forson, currently the minority leader in parliament, and businessman Richard Jakpa are accused of willfully causing financial loss to Ghana amounting to €2.37 million through the procurement of ambulances. Both have pleaded not guilty and are on trial. While the defense has begun, with Richard Jakpa under cross-examination, the case has taken a dramatic turn with Jakpa alleging that the Attorney General tried to coerce him into implicating Dr. Ato Forson.
The original High Court ruling, delivered by Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe on March 30, 2023, concluded that the prosecution had established a prima facie case, necessitating the defendants to present their defense. Justice Asare-Botwe, sitting as an additional High Court judge, found that the evidence presented by the prosecution demonstrated that the ambulances procured were unfit for purpose, leading to significant financial loss.
Representing Dr. Ato Forson are Dr. Abdul Bassit Aziz Bamba and Godwin Edudzi Tamekloe, while Thaddeus Sory and Baffour Gyau Bonsu Ashia represent Richard Jakpa. Joshua Sackey, a Senior State Attorney, represented the Attorney General.
The trial continues with both sides having closed their cases, and businessman Richard Jakpa currently under cross-examination. Jakpa’s recent allegations against the Attorney General have added a new dimension to the case, indicating potential prosecutorial misconduct.
The High Court had initially ordered Dr. Ato Forson and his co-accused to respond to charges after finding sufficient evidence of financial misconduct and procurement violations. While Sylvester Anemana, the former Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, was also initially charged, he has since been discharged following the Attorney General’s nolle prosequi filing.
The Court of Appeal’s upcoming decision will determine the next steps in this high-profile case.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from TOP KNOWLEDGE MEDIA.
Contact: toppknowledgemedia@gmail.com
Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow The TOP KNOWLEDGE MEDIA on WhatsApp for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content. Don't miss a headline – join now!
Join Top Knowledge Media Channel:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaEUCpP4NVigCMWy8J22
What's Your Reaction?
