The office of the Attorney-General has responded vigorously to Dr. Ato Forson’s recent court application, which seeks to investigate the Attorney-General’s conduct in the ongoing ambulance procurement trial.
Dr. Forson, the Minority Leader in Parliament and the first accused in the case, filed for a probe following allegations by the third accused, Richard Jakpa, that the Attorney-General had attempted to recruit him to aid in Forson’s prosecution.
In addition to requesting an inquiry into the Attorney-General’s conduct, Dr. Forson is seeking an order of mistrial, an injunction, and/or a stay of proceedings in the criminal case.
He argues that the Attorney-General’s actions constitute an abuse of court processes and violate constitutional obligations.
However, the Attorney-General’s office has firmly rejected these claims. In a comprehensive affidavit, the Principal State Attorney outlines some reasons why the charges against Jakpa and Forson should not be dismissed, describing the applications as “unfounded, unmeritorious, and unknown to the law.”
Key Points from the Affidavit:
Desperate Tactic to Avoid Prosecution
The Attorney-General argues that Forson’s and Jakpa’s applications are desperate attempts to evade justice. The affidavit states: “Clearly, the accused persons are bent on using any means necessary, fair or foul, to abort their legitimate prosecution for crimes committed against the Republic and must not be aided in that illegitimate endeavor through a grant of the instant application.”
Robust Evidence and Transparency
The affidavit emphasizes that the prosecution’s case is built on solid evidence from thorough investigations. The Attorney-General’s office has shared all relevant documents with the defense to ensure transparency and fairness. The affidavit notes: “In fairness to the accused persons, the Attorney-General duly filed all the evidence he intended to rely on at the trial and furnished all parties to this action with copies of all documents including even the ones he did not rely on.”
Denial of Allegations
The Attorney-General denies any improper conduct or attempts to manipulate Jakpa’s testimony. The affidavit rejects the claim that the Attorney-General tried to coach Jakpa on what to say in court, describing these allegations as “spurious and mischievous.”
Manipulation of Facts
The affidavit accuses Forson and Jakpa of manipulating facts to undermine the integrity of the court and discredit the prosecution. It states: “The depositions in the affidavit in support of the instant application are laden with spurious allegations which are carefully and mischievously calculated at creating unnecessary anxiety about the capacity of the court to dispense justice in this case.”
Background of the Case
Dr. Ato Forson and Richard Jakpa are accused of causing financial loss to the state through the procurement of faulty ambulances. Jakpa has claimed that in private conversations, the Attorney-General admitted there was no case against him, a claim purportedly supported by a recording released by the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
This recording allegedly captures the Attorney-General coaching Jakpa on what to say in court to incriminate Dr. Forson.
Despite these allegations, the Attorney-General’s office maintains that the prosecution is legitimate and based on robust evidence.