Ambulance trial: Why I declared war on Godfred Dame – Jakpa tells High Court

Businessman Richard Jakpa has revealed the reasons behind his intense animosity towards Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame, referring to him as his 'sworn enemy'.

Jakpa, the third defendant in the ambulance procurement trial, recounted a secret meeting with the Attorney-General, which was intended to result in his discharge from the trial.

However, despite the agreement, he was added to the list of accused persons and required to present his defense.

During cross-examination by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Yvonne Attakorah Obuobisa, Jakpa claimed he had provided documents to the Attorney-General that were subsequently used to strengthen the prosecution's case.

The DPP, however, refuted his claims, stating that the documents in question had been submitted by the prosecution five months before Jakpa's meeting with the A-G.

Jakpa also described a promise made by Godfred Yeboah Dame at the residence of his cousin, Justice Yonny Kulendi, which was not fulfilled.

"I wasn't surprised by the ruling because I'm familiar with the government's tactics of not honoring agreements with perceived political adversaries," Jakpa stated.

He recounted messaging Justice Kulendi about being asked to open his defense, to which Kulendi suggested that Dame would contact him if possible.

"The night I learned of the broken promise was the night I declared war on the A-G," Jakpa declared.

He expressed his determination to use his 'underworld skills' against Dame's legal expertise, indicating a personal battle regardless of the trial's outcome.

Jakpa emphasized that the conflict was not just about his potential incarceration but also about the pain, reputational damage, and loss he has suffered, which he believes cannot be compensated by an acquittal alone.

“And I told the two of them that he, A-G is a lawyer, he is using his law skills and knowledge to take my liberty away from me unjustly and I’m also going to use my underworld skills to pay him and deal with him. I said use what you know best in your law and I’ll also use what I know best on the street and will see who will survive.

“So, I am concerned there is a war between the two of us whether I’m jailed or acquitted. Because he’s trying to jail me and take my liberty as a citizen, he has caused me pain, destroyed my reputation and stripped me of everything I have worked for over decades and that cannot be paid by an acquittal because of the judge that is adjudicating the trial.

"He and my cousin tried to calm me down, but the battle line had already been drawn.” Jakpa told the court.

GA/SARA

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