The High Court in Accra has taken a decisive step in the ongoing trial involving a private businessman, Richard Jakpa, standing trial with former Deputy Minister of Finance, Dr. Ato Forson.
The two have been accused of causing a financial loss of €2.37 million to the state in a deal to purchase 200 ambulances for the country between 2014 and 2016.
Richard Jakpa was notably absent during the recent court session, where he was expected to continue his testimony after dismissing his lawyer and choosing to represent himself.
His absence prompted Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, a Court of Appeal judge with additional responsibilities as a High Court judge, to issue the bench warrant for his arrest.
“Unfortunately Jakpa dispensed with his lawyer and is yet to get a new one
“We will err on the side of caution and issue a warrant for the arrest of the accused,” the judge said.
Despite a document purporting to be a medical excuse sent to the court clerk via WhatsApp, the judge noted that it lacked sufficient detail about Jakpa’s condition, leading to the decision to issue the warrant.
The charges against Jakpa and Dr. Forson include willfully causing financial loss to the state, abetment to willfully causing financial loss to the state, contravention of the Public Procurement Act, and intentionally misapplying public property.
The case has been adjourned to Tuesday, March 26, this year, pending Jakpa’s arrest and further proceedings.
According to the Attorney General’s facts accompanying the charge sheet, the scandal traces back to 2009 when then-President Prof. John Evans Atta Mills announced plans to purchase new ambulances to enhance the National Ambulance Service’s operations.
Jakpa, acting as a local representative of Big Sea General Trading Limited based in Dubai, approached the Ministry of Health with a financing proposal from Stanbic Bank for the supply of 200 ambulances to the government.
Parliament approved the financing agreement between the government and Stanbic Bank.
The facts also reveal that approvals were sought and obtained for single-sourcing Big Sea for the ambulance supply.
However, subsequent investigations found that 30 of the ambulances purchased at a cost of €2.37 million did not meet the required specifications and were deemed “not fit for purpose.” This discrepancy has led to the serious legal proceedings now underway.
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