Ambulance case: Court to rule on admissibility of audio tape involving Jakpa, AG on June 16

The High Court, presided over by Justice Afia Serwah Asare Botwe, has scheduled Thursday, June 13, to determine an application by the lawyers of Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.

The application seeks to admit an audio recording of a conversation between Richard Jakpa and Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame into evidence.

Dr. Abdul Bassit Bamba, counsel for Dr. Ato Forson, moved the application on Tuesday, arguing that the recording is relevant to their earlier application for a mistrial, which had been dismissed by the court.

Justice Afia Serwah Asare Botwe called for the audio tape to be played in open court after confirming that all parties had been served and the tape had been tendered in court.

She stated that playing the recording was necessary to determine its admissibility as evidence and to verify that it was the same tape served on the prosecution and Dr. Ato Forson's lawyers.

Upon listening to the tape, Director of Public Prosecution, Yvonne Attakora Obuobisa, objected to its admission into evidence.

She argued that the recording was not relevant and that it breached the privacy of the Attorney General.

Obuobisa emphasized that the court had already relied on the tape in its ruling that dismissed the applications filed by both Dr. Ato Forson and Richard Jakpa.

“We object to the tendering of this recording into evidence. Insufficient foundation has been laid for its inclusion in the ongoing trial. My Lady will note that in its ruling on June 6, this court admitted into evidence this same recording that counsel seeks to tender of the third accused (Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson),” 3news.com quoted Obuobisa having stated.

NAY/AE

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