Godfred Dame (L), Richard Jakpa (M), and Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson (R)
The controversial ambulance procurement trial involving the Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and Businessman Richard Jakpa was thrown out by the Court of Appeal on July 30 after several years in court.
The case which dates back to 2015, sought to prosecute the accused persons for allegedly causing financial loss of €2.37 million to the State in a deal to purchase 200 ambulances for the country between 2014 and 2016.
GhanaWeb provides the major highlights of the trial before the Court of Appeal’s ruling:
1. Leaked audio tape of Godfred Dame and Richard Jakpa
On May 28, 2024 an audio tape made its way into parliament. The audio tape allegedly captured the Attorney General attempting to coerce Richard Jakpa into implicating Dr. Ato Forson in the ongoing trial.
More details contained in the 16-minute-long audio recording showed the Attorney General instructing Jakpa, the third accused, to obtain an excuse duty to delay the proceedings.
Additionally, Dame allegedly advised Jakpa to use the delay to facilitate his travel plans.
Excerpts of the conversation on the tape are as follows:
Dame in audio: “And then, even next week, the whole of next week, I’ll not be around. Yes, I will be off. If you don’t finish next week, I would appreciate it.”
Jakpa retorted: “Oh, no, no. I’ll not finish next week. I don’t think I’ll be able to finish because the documents are many. So, you will surely go and come and meet me. But that will also depend upon the judge’s behaviour.”
Mr Dame again: “You can bring one of the medical excuses next week.”
2. Dismissal letter of Richard Jakpa
A dismissal letter of Richard Jakpa from the Ghana Armed Forces was tendered as evidence by the Deputy Attorney-General, Alfred Tuah-Yeboah.
The letter contained allegations of misconduct and breach of military protocols leading to Jakpa’s dismissal from the army.
Further details disclosed how Jakpa consistently failed his promotional exams (PROMEX) as well as being indebted to various people and institutions.
3. Subpoena for Chief of Defence Staff to testify
Lawyers for Richard Jakpa subpoenaed the CDS Lieutenant General Thomas Oppong-Peprah to testify following the prosecution’s release of Jakpa’s dismissal letter as evidence.
The letter, which was released to the Minister of Defence, Dominic Nitiwul bore the signature of the Chief of Defence Staff.
However, the CDS during a cross examination denied releasing the letter to the Minister of Defence.
He clarified the circumstances surrounding the dismissal of Richard Jakpa stating he was released from the military due to a continuous lack of knowledge or interest in his duties.
"The said former officer of the military, Richard Jakpa, was released based on lack of knowledge or interest," he told the court.
4. Judge warns against media commentary
The presiding judge, Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe warned lawyers of the accused persons and persons involved to refrain from making commentary in the media that will prejudice the trial or face going to jail.
“You grant interviews after court and many of you are on the borderline of contempt of court. I have told you several times to desist from it.
“What we are doing is not good for the country.
”It is bad for the country. It is bad for security. It is bad for rule of law. It is just not good for anyone,” Justice Asare-Botwe said.
The ruling by the Appeals Court squashes every charge slapped on the accused persons.
Meanwhile, Attorney General Godfred Dame has hinted at appealing the ruling at the highest court, the Supreme Court.
Some Ghanaian personalities argue that the case was a witch hunt which should have never started in the first place.
MAG/MA
