Businessman Richard Jakpa has told an Accra High Court that prosecution’s claim that the ambulance purchased were unfit for purpose was “very mischievous.”
He added that, that claim was “deliberately orchestrated allegations to sabotage the ambulance project” because it originated from the National Democratic Congress’s government.
Richard Jakpa, the third accused person made this known while facing cross examination from lawyer of Dr Cassiel Ato Forson in the ongoing ambulance trial.
When it was put to him under cross examination by Dr. Abdul Basit Aziz Bamba, lead Counsel for Dr Ato Forson, the first accused that, prosecution claim that the ambulances were unfit for purpose was mischievous.
Mr Jakpa answered in the affirmative and described it as a deliberate attempt to sabotage the ambulance project by the previous government.
“…. Very mischievous and it was deliberately orchestrated allegation to sabotage the ambulances project since originated from the previous government.
“And I say this because on assumption of governance of the current government in 2017, I personally went to the office of the minister of health Hon. Kweku Agyemeng Manu to implore him to clear the accessories because all the issues surrounding the ambulance implementation problems have been resolved by his predecessor (Hon Segbefia) before he (Agyeman Manu) took over office.
He told the Court presided over by Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe that, “I showed him the letter to that effect in 2016,” but that letter was ignored.
Dr Ato Forson, the current minority leader in parliament, and businessman Richard Jakpa have been accused of willfully causing financial loss to the republic to the tune of 2.37 million euros through the purchase of ambulances.
They have pleaded not guilty and are standing trial.
The prosecution had closed their case after calling four witnesses including Kweku Agyeman Manu, former Health Minister after which the Court held that, prima facie evidence was established by the prosecution.
Ato Forson has also closed his defense after calling witnesses including former minister of finance, Seth Terkper, and former GNPC boss Alex Mould.
Richard Jakpa, the third accused is currently in the Witness Box facing cross-examination, but the case took a dramatic turn when he (Jakpa) accused the Attorney General of engaging him at odd hours to implicate the minority leader.
Source: Kasapafmonline.com/Murtala Inusah
