The High Court hearing the criminal case against Minority Leader and former Deputy Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, is scheduled to deliver four separate rulings today, Thursday, June 6. The rulings pertain to various applications filed by the first accused, Dr. Ato Forson, and the third accused, Richard Jakpa.
The applications include an order of enquiry into the conduct of the Attorney-General following allegations made by Richard Jakpa, an order of mistrial to terminate the case, a stay of proceedings until the application is determined, and a motion requesting the court to strike out charges against the businessman. Dr. Ato Forson filed three of the motions, while the last one was filed by Richard Jakpa.
Dr. Ato Forson and Richard Jakpa are on trial for allegedly causing a financial loss of €2.37 million to the state through a contract to purchase 200 ambulances for the Ministry of Health, among other charges.
In his applications, Dr. Forson argued that the uncontested allegations made by Mr. Jakpa reflect a collusion between the prosecution and the businessman, describing it as a calculated agenda to incriminate him and undermine the course of justice. He believes the Attorney-General’s conduct violates his right to a fair trial and is seeking the court’s intervention to restrain the A-G from continuing with the prosecution.
Richard Jakpa, in his application, is seeking an order to strike out the charges against him and terminate the proceedings. He contends that the charges and proceedings initiated by Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame constitute an abuse of court processes and violate constitutional obligations.
The Office of the Attorney General, in affidavits opposing the applications, argues that it is in the public interest to bring the case to a firm conclusion based on the credible evidence before the court. They maintain that continuing Dr. Forson’s prosecution would uphold the principle of equality before the law and defeat the perception that the powerful and politically connected can evade justice due to undue pressure and false allegations.
Regarding Jakpa’s claims, the affidavit in opposition states that while he makes numerous untrue and wild allegations against the Attorney General, none of them question the integrity of the court or its actions, which would impede its capacity to administer justice in the case.
The court, presided over by Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, will make a determination based on the arguments presented in the legal documents filed for and against the motions.
