Evidence tendered in by the Prosecution in the ambulance trial involving former Deputy Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson and two others indicates that the third accused, Richard Jakpa, a businessman and Attorney General Godfred Dame shared 70 chats on WhatsApp.
On Tuesday, it was revealed in court that a majority of the texts on the social media platform were sent by the third accused.
Richard Jakpa who mounts the witness box today is said to have sent 68 messages to the A-G whereas Mr Godfred Dame sent 2 messages in reply.
Richard Jakpa is currently undergoing cross-examination by the Director of Public Prosecutions, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing ambulance trial.
This follows the completion of cross-examination by lawyers representing Dr. Ato Forson, the first accused, last Thursday, June 13.
Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, serving as an additional High Court judge presiding over the case, called upon the Prosecution after Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson’s legal team, led by Dr. Abdul Basit Aziz Bamba, concluded their cross-examination on June 13, 2024.
Earlier, the Court had admitted an audio recording into evidence, capturing a conversation between Godfred Dame and Richard Jakpa, the third accused in the case.
Dr. Ato Forson, the current Minority Leader in Parliament, and businessman Richard Jakpa face allegations of deliberately causing financial loss to the state amounting to 2.37 million euros through the procurement of ambulances. Both have pleaded not guilty and are currently standing trial.
Mr. Jakpa is expected to endure a thorough examination from the Prosecution, anticipated to last at least five hours, in accordance with the Case Management Completion plan.
Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal filed by the legal representative of Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, against an Accra High Court’s decision to dismiss an application for mistrial in the ambulance trial.
Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, presiding over the ambulance trial, ruled that the application filed by former Deputy Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson was not tenable.
The application alleged professional and prosecutorial misconduct on the part of Attorney-General Godfred Dame, referencing a tape in which Dame and a co-accused were purportedly discussing matters before the courts.
The judge found no statutory basis to declare a mistrial or to investigate the Attorney-General’s conduct.
tigpost.co
