The growing controversy surrounding the trial of former Deputy Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson and others for allegedly causing financial loss to the state in the Ambulance trial, on Tuesday, May 28, thickened with the opposition National Democratic Congress offering what it said is corroborating evidence to Mr. Richard Japkpa, 3rd accused’s explosive accusations against the Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame last week.
Japka, while being cross-examined, accused the Attorney General and Minister for Justice of coaxing him to bear false witness against Ato Forson.
Spokesperson for Godfred Yeboah Dame and the Attorney-General’s office have denied the allegations, explaining that whatever Mr. Dame has done with Jakpa has been done in accordance with the law and nothing illegal.
The Attorney-General has since come under criticism mainly from the NDC, which on Tuesday fulfilled its promise to make public secret recordings and chats between Jakpa and Yeboah Dame to confirm Jakpa’s allegations against the Attorney General were true.
In the alleged recording, the Attorney-General is heard telling Mr Jakpa that if he accepts the line of argument he (A-G) was offering him regarding a Letter of Credit (LC), there will be no difficulty for him.
This statement has raised concerns about the integrity and fairness of the judicial process.
The secret recording, of which MyJoyOnline.com is in possession of a copy, reveals a conversation allegedly between the Attorney General, a Supreme Court judge and Mr Jakpa.
The Attorney-General’s remarks have been interpreted by some as an attempt to influence Jakpa’s testimony in the case against the first accused, Dr. Ato Forson, a former Deputy Finance Minister and the current Minority Leader. Dr. Forson is facing charges related to the procurement of faulty ambulances for Ghana.
There have been calls for an investigation into the alleged conduct of the Attorney-General.
In response to the allegations, the Attorney General has dismissed Jakpa’s claims, insisting that he never sought to manipulate Jakpa’s testimony.
He maintained that Jakpa had, in fact, sent several letters requesting a plea bargain in exchange for the state dropping all charges against him and the other accused persons.
The Attorney-General has argued that these requests had not been accepted, and he remained committed to ensuring a fair trial.
The National Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye, also known as Nana B, defended the Attorney-General in a Facebook post, stating that the full recording would establish the AG’s innocence.
He emphasised that the Attorney-General’s attendance at the meeting was at the behest of Justice Kulendi and that there was no intention to skew Jakpa’s testimony.
