The Minority Leader and the former Deputy Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson through his lawyers have filed a supplementary affidavit in support of the motion on notice for an order of mistrial, injunction and stay of proceedings in the ongoing ambulance case.
Dr Forson, the first and principal accused person in the ongoing Ambulance trial, strongly asserted in his affidavit that he has uncovered new, compelling evidence since filing his initial application on May 28, 2024.
The Member of Parliament for Ajumako Essiam Enyan Constituency claimed that a widely circulated audio recording, which features a conversation between the Attorney General and the third accused person, Richard Jakpa in the ongoing trial reveals an orchestrated plan to manipulate the judicial process.
“This Affidavit is supplemental to the Affidavit filed in support of that application. At the hearing of the said application, my counsel shall seek leave of this Honourable Court to refer to and rely on this Supplementary Affidavit in support of the instant motion filed on 28 May 2024.
“That 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 current application on the fair and just determination of the matter”.
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson
Dr. Forson also underscored the necessity of the supplementary affidavit to ensure a fair and just determination of his case, emphasizing that it brings to light critical and pertinent issues.
Key Allegations and Evidence
Among several things, the former Deputy Minister of Finance under the erstwhile Mahama’s administration cited a recording, referred to as Exhibit CAF 2, that allegedly captures the Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, and the third accused, Richard Jakpa discussing the evidence the third accused [Richard Jakpa] should present in court.
He also recounted that the recording includes Mr Dame coaching the third accused [Richard Jakpa] on how to align his testimony with the prosecution’s desired outcome such as “…In my view, if we agree to this theory, it’s so simple, the theory of the case…… Okay, fine. If you agree to it this way, for me, it makes it simple. Yes, it will make it. It doesn’t also involve; it doesn’t involve any difficulty for you…”
“In this matter. That the content of Exhibit CAF 2 is scandalous and leaves no doubt that the Honourable Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame and his office cannot. reasonably be expected to conduct the instant prosecution fairly and in accordance with the hallowed principles of prosecution”.
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson
Furthermore, Dr Forson cited a press release signed by the Deputy Attorney General dated 23 May 2024 denying the testimony of him [Dr Ato Forson] that the Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame has sought his cooperation to secure his conviction.
He further emphasized that the said press release falsely claimed that he had met the Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame “to plead with him to discontinue the prosecution”.
Dr Ato Forson also cited a news report from Asaase Radio, which according to him details a meeting between the Attorney-General and the third accused, Richard Jakpa at a Supreme Court Justice’s residence, where plea-bargaining was discussed, adding that the Attorney-General, since the publication of the news report has failed to denied the quotations attributed to him.
The Minority Leader thus asserted that the sequence of events gives him a reasonable belief that the said statements are true and do reveal some collusive scheme between the Attorney-General and the third accused, Richard Jakpa.
Moreover, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson accused the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame of tampering with the third accused, Richard Jakpa’s evidence, aiming to secure his conviction through inducement and manipulation.
He further argued that the conduct and actions of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice constitute contempt of court and fabricating evidence, amounting to a perversion of justice.
Dr Forson also pointed out public calls for the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice’s resignation, citing several news reports labelled as Exhibit CAF 8 that condemn the Attorney-General’s conduct and actions.
Legal and Ethical Implications
The Minority Leader, Dr Forson, in highlighting the legal and ethical implications of the alleged misconduct of the Attorney-General vehemently posited that the audio recording and related media reports provide incontrovertible evidence of misconduct by the Attorney General.
He emphasized that such evidence demonstrates a clear intent on the part of the Attorney-General to manipulate the judicial process and secure a predetermined outcome, thereby undermining the integrity of the prosecution.
Dr Forson concluded his affidavit by urging the court to consider the seriousness of the allegations and the potential impact on the administration of justice, adding that ignoring such grave matters would result in a travesty of justice, eroding public confidence in the legal system.
He emphasized the need for the court to uphold the rule of law and the ethical standards of prosecution, especially when such principles are threatened by high-ranking officials.
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