The Minority Leader of Parliament, Cassiel Ato Forson has petitioned the Chief Justice to allow full media coverage of his trial with businessman Richard Jakpa, following recent disturbing allegations of witness tampering against the Attorney-General, Godfred Dame.
Forson’s lawyers wrote to the Chief Justice on Thursday, May 30, 2024, requesting for live broadcast of the trial at the high court.
“I believe that live broadcasting the Ambulance Trial is essential to ensuring a fair and just outcome. It is in the best interests of both the public and the legal system that these proceedings be conducted with the utmost transparency. I urge the Chief Justice to grant my request and allow the public to witness this important trial firsthand,” he wrote on X, sharing also the letter from his lawyers which showed the Office of Chief Justice’s received stamp.
Transparency and Open Justice: Live Broadcast of the Ambulance Trial
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In the wake of the recent exposé concerning the alleged misconduct of the Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, I have instructed my lawyers to petition the Chief Justice for the live broadcast of all… pic.twitter.com/9on6wfe3uL
— Cassiel Ato Forson(PhD) (@Cassielforson) May 30, 2024
Ato Forson (a former deputy finance minister) and Richard Jakpa are being prosecuted for causing a €2.37 million financial loss to the state over the importation of 200 defective ambulances in 2012.
However last week, the case took a different turn, when Richard Jakpa revealed during cross-examination that the Attorney-General had met him at “odd hours” to get him to give “false testimony” that would implicate Dr. Forson.
It is an allegation Godfred Dame has denied, and instead said he was rather approached by the accused persons for a plea deal and to drop the case.
Read Also:
- Ambulance Case: Accused Tells Court AG Engaged Him to Implicate Minority Leader Ato Forson
- Ambulance Case: Attorney-General Says Minority Leader Pleaded to Discontinue Case
But that did not stop there as the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), on Tuesday, released a 16-minute phone conversation between the AG and Richard Jakpa. They had also called for the dismissal and disbarment of Godfred Dame, saying that his actions amounted to professional misconduct.
The ruling party, on the same day, held a press conference, dismissing the allegations, and calling it an attack on the image of the Attorney-General.
Read Also: Ambulance Case: NDC Persistent Dislike of AG, Worthless and Nonsensical – NPP
Despite the wrangling from both sides, there’ve been individuals, including former Law School Director, Kwaku Ansa-Asare, who have called for the resignation of Godfred Dame amid the controversy.
