Attorney-General Godfred Dame has announced the suspension of proceedings in the ambulance procurement case involving Dr Cassiel Ato Forson and Richard Jakpa following their acquittal by the Court of Appeal.
The Court of Appeal’s decision to acquit and discharge Dr Ato Forson and co-accused Richard Jakpa has prompted the Attorney-General’s Office to halt further trial proceedings.
“The trial is suspended for now,” Attorney-General Godfred Dame confirmed in an interview with Joy FM, expressing strong dissatisfaction with the Court of Appeal’s ruling.
Earlier, the Attorney-General’s Office expressed dismay over the Court of Appeal’s decision, describing it as detrimental to public accountability and the fight against abuse of public office.
“The decision is heavily against the weight of the evidence led by the prosecution,” the Attorney-General’s statement read, highlighting significant flaws in the procurement process and substantial defects in the imported ambulances.
Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, a former Deputy Finance Minister, and his co-accused were accused of willfully causing the state a financial loss of 2.37 million Euros by purchasing ambulances unsuitable for their intended purpose.
Following the High Court’s earlier decision to compel Dr Ato Forson and his co-accused to open their defence, the Court of Appeal overturned this ruling, citing insufficient evidence and impermissible speculations in the prosecution’s case.
The Attorney-General’s Office is resolute in its intention to appeal the Court of Appeal’s decision. This determination is aimed at rectifying what it perceives as an erroneous outcome that undermines efforts to uphold accountability in public office.
