National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has accused Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame of committing perjury and professional misconduct in connection with the alleged 16-minute audio conversation between the Attorney-General and the third accused, Richard Jakpa, in the ongoing ambulance purchase trial.
The NDC Chairman made these remarks during the party’s “Moment of Truth” press conference on Tuesday, May 28, 2024. He added that in the audio recording, Godfred Dame is heard persuading Jakpa not to conclude his testimony by a specific time to accommodate his travel plans.
“The dishonourable Attorney-General is also heard persuading Mr. Jakpa to procure and submit a fake medical excuse duty to the court which he was scheduled to testify before that morning. This was to enable Godfred Dame to travel abroad without missing Jakpa’s testimony. By asking a witness to fabricate evidence to deceive a court, Godfred Dame, the Attorney General, sought to undermine the judicial and justice administration process. This conduct of Godfred Dame constitutes the offense of perjury which is a crime punishable under the laws of Ghana, specifically sections 213 and 214 of the Criminal and Other Offenses Act, 1960 (Act 29),” Asiedu Nketia said.
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Mr. Nketia’s comments come in relation to the matter involving the Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame and Richard Jakpa, an accused person in the ongoing ambulance trial, where the defendant accused the A-G of meeting him at odd hours to falsify testimony against the former Deputy Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
Ato Forson, a former Deputy Finance Minister and current Minority Leader, is facing charges with two others, including Richard Jakpa, for their alleged involvement in the procurement of faulty ambulances for Ghana.
During cross-examination by counsel for the Minority Leader in court on Thursday, May 23, 2024, Jakpa was cautioned by the trial judge, Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe to be direct in his responses and avoid wasting the time of the court.
In response to the judge’s caution, Attorney-General Yeboah Dame accused Jakpa of defending the Minority Leader.
The accusation prompted Jakpa to retort that the Attorney-General seemed aggrieved because he had previously failed to get him (Jakpa) to help the state build a case against Dr. Ato Forson.
“The A-G has on several occasions engaged me at odd hours to help him make a case against A1 and I have evidence for that.. If he pushes me, I will open the Pandora’s box. I don’t understand why the A-G will accuse me of defending A1 when I’m here to defend myself.If he pushes me, I’ll open the Pandora’s box. I have evidence to all this,” Jakpa said in court.
Contradicting Jakpa’s allegations, Attorney General Godfred Dame asserted that it was Jakpa who had repeatedly reached out, sending several letters to request a plea bargain in hopes of having the charges against all accused persons dropped.
However, the A-G clarified that no agreement had been reached regarding these proposals.
