Ambulance case: I’m unperturbed about AG’s threats to appeal ruling – Jakpa

The third accused person in the Ambulance trial, Richard Jakpa says he is unfazed by attempts by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Godfred Yeboah Dame to appeal to the Court of Appeal judgment that acquitted and discharged Minority Leader, Dr Cassel Ato Forson and himself.

The A-G has stated that he will appeal the ruling at the Supreme Court.

Speaking to journalists in Accra, Richard Jakpa said he is unperturbed by the A-G’s threat, expressing his readiness to meet Godfred Yeboah Dame in any court of his choice.

“I’m more than prepared, I’m always ready, if the Attorney-General wants to to go the Supreme Court to appeal against the ruling, I will meet him there. Even if he doesn’t win and he wants to go for a review, I will meet him there. Wherever he wants to go, I will meet him there, I don’t have an issue at all.

“I’m ready for this government, all that I can say is that my enemies and detractors have been put to shame, I have been vindicated,” Richard Jakpa said.

The Court of Appeal overturned the trial court’s order for Dr Forson to open his defence in the ongoing ambulance case.

This comes after the High Court, Accra, on June 6 dismissed the application by Minority Leader, Cassiel Ato Forson for mistrial and to undertake an enquiry into the conduct of the Attorney General in the ongoing Ambulance case.

According to the trial judge, the Minority Leader had not shown any statute provisions that warrant a mistrial in this case nor to enquire into the affairs of the Attorney General.

Dr Ato Forson on Monday, June 3 filed a supplementary affidavit in support of the motion on notice for an order of mistrial, injunction and/or stay of proceedings in the ongoing ambulance case against him and two others.

Lawyers for the Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam legislator cited a leaked tape between the Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, and the third accused, Richard Jakpa, in which the former allegedly attempted to coach the third accused to implicate Dr Ato Forson in the ongoing trial, for the application.

Ato Forson’s legal team in the affidavit, argues that the Attorney-General misconducted himself and called for the prosecution to be declared a mistrial.

“It has become necessary to file this affidavit in order to bring to the attention of the Court and in the interest of justice, certain pertinent, material and relevant matters that have a bearing on the fair and just determination of the current application.

“That I say that I have since filing the instant application had the opportunity of listening to a recording widely circulating in the media depicting the voices of the Attorney-General and A3 fervently discussing the evidence the Attorney-General will prefer the said A3 to adduce at the trial. At the hearing of the instant application, my counsel will seek leave of the court to have the said audio recording played in open court.”

The Minority Leader further argued that failure to order a mistrial in such circumstances, where there appears to be a blatant disregard for the rule of law and ethical standards of prosecution by none other than the Attorney-General, could severely undermine public confidence in the judicial process.

The Minority Leader subsequently filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal which has been has been upheld by the Court in a 2:1 majority decision. Businessman Richard Jakpa, the third accused has also been freed by the court.

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