The third accused in the ongoing ambulance case, Richard Jakpa, claims he was informed by Godfred Yeboah Dame, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, that his aim in the criminal prosecution was to ensure former Deputy Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson is jailed.
Richard Jakpa, during his testimony said the AG told him Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the first accused, is the main target of the case.
He made this known on June 13, 2024 while under cross-examination by Ato Forson’s legal team.
Furthermore, he said that he gave papers and cooperated with the Attorney General because he was given the assurance that no case application would be made to have him later discharged.
Mr. Jakpa went on to say that this guarantee made him think the AG would help, and before the prosecution had even concluded its case, the AG gave him the addendum to the primary contract between the Government of Ghana and Big Sea.
Richard Jakpa also told the 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.
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 he the claim 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
