I brought relevant portions of WhatsApp conversation with A-G – Jakpa to Court

Businessman Richard Jakpa stated that he presented portions of his WhatsApp conversation with Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, to the court to support his case.

According to Jakpa, the Attorney-General is free to present any portions he excluded that might provide additional context or challenge his presentation.

During cross-examination, the prosecution, led by Director of Public Prosecution Mrs. Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, pointed out that Jakpa had omitted parts of his WhatsApp conversations with Dame.

In response, Jakpa maintained, “I brought the relevant portions of the conversation with the Attorney General that will make my case. He is at liberty to bring the other portions that he feels will discredit what I have presented here.”

Jakpa also admitted that he initiated the WhatsApp conversation with the Attorney General by introducing himself after obtaining Dame’s number from his cousin, Justice Emmanuel Yoni Kulendi.

“It is true I sent him (Godfred Dame) a message to introduce myself, and in this exhibit, it is not here, but I have indicated that I introduced myself to him,” Jakpa said under cross-examination.

The prosecution suggested that Jakpa was dismissed from the military due to failing his promotional exams. Jakpa disagreed, explaining, “As I have been explaining, the answer is not a simple yes or no. I was being victimized, and that is why I am explaining.” He added that he was transferred from Sunyani to Accra due to a conflict with former Defence Minister Addo Kufuor.

“In the military, we are trained and governed by military rules, and in those rules, we are trained not to obey unlawful commands,” Jakpa said, explaining why he refused to hand over his brief as ordered by Kufuor.

When questioned by the prosecution about whether the Attorney General knew Jakpa was related to Justice Kulendi, Jakpa stated, “I cannot confirm for him (Godfred Dame). I am not in his (AG) mind, and I am not his PA, so whether he knew I am the cousin of Justice Yoni Kulendi, he is the only person who can tell.”

The prosecution also claimed that Jakpa had sent 68 messages to the Attorney General but only received two replies. Jakpa disagreed, noting that some of their communication occurred during meetings.

“Yes, but I don’t have the number of WhatsApp messages in my head. What I do know, and is on his (AG’s) phone and my phone, is that he (Godfred Dame) called me, gave me an assignment, and I executed it,” Jakpa said.

“I gave him feedback, and he acknowledged the feedback. Prior to that, I sent him a WhatsApp message requesting a private meeting at his convenience, and he responded that he would arrange for our meeting through my cousin (Justice Yoni Kulendi).”

Jakpa also mentioned that it was the Attorney-General who suggested Justice Kulendi’s house as the venue for their meeting. “I didn’t suggest my cousin’s (Justice Yoni Kulendi’s) house; he (Godfred Dame) suggested my cousin’s house,” Jakpa stated.

Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame was present in court on June 18. The case has been adjourned to June 20, 2024, for continuation.