In a recent development of the ambulance procurement case, Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame has vehemently opposed the dismissal application submitted by the third defendant, Richard Jakpa. The legal proceedings have taken a contentious turn as Jakpaseeks to have the charges against him dropped.
Jakpa’s defense team approached the court with a plea to either dismiss the charges or halt the ongoing proceedings. In a dramatic twist, Jakpa, in his affidavit, accused Mr. Dame of previously assuring him of his innocence and promising an acquittal. He further claimed that his prosecution was a facade, orchestrated under pressure from President Akufo-Addo and Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, to target Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the former ranking member for finance and current Minority Leader.
Contradicting these allegations, the Attorney General’s office has dismissed Jakpa’s claims as baseless, lacking substantial grounds for the application’s approval a stance supported by the nation’s criminal procedure norms. The AG’s affidavit described Jakpa’s motion as a strategic ploy to evade prosecution for his alleged involvement in financial misconduct related to the misrepresentation of regular vans as ambulances, causing significant financial loss to the state.
The AG’s affidavit concluded by labelling the dismissal request as “frivolous, vexatious, and a complete waste of the court’s time,” signalling a firm resolve to continue the legal battle. The case continues to garner public attention, highlighting the complexities of legal accountability in state affairs.
Source: Joanita Amegashie
