Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Minority Leader, and Richard Jakpa, both defendants in a case involving alleged misuse of ambulance funds, were visibly relieved and expressed profound gratitude to God following the Court of Appeal’s decision to acquit and discharge them.
The ruling, which cleared them of all charges on Tuesday, July 30, was a moment of immense relief for both individuals.
In a heartfelt Facebook post, Dr Forson attributed his victory to divine providence, citing Romans 9:14: “What shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all!” This personal touch, a glimpse into his inner thoughts and feelings, added depth to the news of his acquittal and made his audience feel a part of his emotional journey.
The Court of Appeal’s ruling, a significant turn of events in the ongoing ambulance case, overturned the earlier directive by the trial court for Dr Forson to proceed with his defence. This decision carries substantial implications for the case and the individuals involved.
On June 6, the High Court in Accra dismissed Dr Ato Forson’s application for a mistrial and an inquiry into the Attorney General’s conduct regarding the ongoing case. The court ruled that the Minority Leader had not substantiated legal grounds for a mistrial nor provided statutory provisions to warrant an inquiry into the Attorney General’s conduct.
Dr Ato Forson’s legal team had filed a supplementary affidavit in early June, presenting a leaked tape allegedly involving Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame and Richard Jakpa. The tape, which reportedly revealed attempts to influence witness testimony to implicate Dr. Ato Forson, was used as evidence to request the trial’s termination. These severe allegations added a layer of complexity to the case.
The affidavit highlighted concerns about ethical standards and the rule of law, stressing that the alleged attempts to influence witness testimony could undermine the fairness of the trial and erode public confidence in the judicial process if a mistrial was not declared.
Subsequently, the Minority Leader pursued an appeal at the Court of Appeal, culminating in a majority 2:1 decision in his favour. The appellate court also exonerated Businessman Richard Jakpa, the co-accused.
