The High Court presiding over the criminal case involving Minority Leader and former Deputy Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, is scheduled to deliver four separate rulings today, Thursday, June 6. These rulings come after applications filed by the first accused person, Dr Ato Forson and the third accused, Richard Jakpa.
The applications include An order of enquiry into the conduct of the Attorney-General following allegations made by Richard Jakpa about being called at odd hours, an order of mistrial to terminate the case, a stay of proceedings until the application is determined and a motion asking the court to strike out charges against the businessman.
The Minority Leader, Dr. Ato Forson filed three of the motions, while the last one was filed by the businessman, Richard Jakpa.
Dr Ato Forson and Richard Jakpa are facing trial for willfully causing a financial loss of €2.37 million to the state through a contract to purchase 200 ambulances for the Ministry of Health, among other charges.
During the previous court session on Tuesday, Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe indicated that she would base her ruling on the arguments presented in the legal documents filed for and in opposition to the motions.
In his applications, Dr Forson argued that the allegations made by Mr Jakpa reflect collusion between the prosecution and the businessman, aiming to incriminate him and desecrate the course of justice.
Mr. Jakpa, in his application, seeks an order striking out the charges against him and terminating the proceedings, alleging abuse of court processes and misuse of constitutional powers by the Attorney-General.
In response, the Office of the Attorney General contends that bringing the case to a firm conclusion based on credible evidence is in the public interest. It argues that continuing Dr Forson’s prosecution would uphold the principle of equality before the law.
Regarding Mr. Jakpa’s claims, the Attorney General’s office argues that while he makes allegations against the Attorney General, none of them impede the capacity of the court to administer justice in this case.
