Justice Efia Serwah Asare-Botwey, presiding over the trial involving Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has issued a stern warning that the proceedings will be held in-camera if the leaking of recorded court sessions continues.
This announcement came after an audio recording of last week’s cross-examination of the third accused, Richard Jakpa, surfaced on various WhatsApp platforms.
On Tuesday, June 19, the trial was put on hold when Deputy Attorney-General Alfred Tuah Yeboah raised concerns about the unauthorized recording.
The case was paused, and all parties, including the accused, were called into chambers for a private meeting with the judge.
Justice Asare-Botwey emerged from the meeting with a clear directive: “If it’s repeated, I’ll clear the court and hold the case in-camera. Only prosecution, lawyers, and the accused persons will be allowed in.”
This measure aims to maintain the integrity of the trial and prevent further leaks.
Mr. Tuah Yeboah, speaking to the media, noted that the prosecution was not concerned about the content of the audio recording, as it did not reveal anything damaging to their case.
He stated, “Not at all, because this audio is nothing that you have heard. In terms of the content, we are not minded about that because it is something that is in the public domain.”
The High Court admitted the audio recording into evidence on June 13. On the same day, Justice Asare-Botwey dismissed an application for mistrial filed by Dr. Ato Forson’s defense team, ruling that the tape did not show any instruction from Attorney-General Godfred Dame for Mr. Jakpa to implicate Dr. Forson.
Following the circulation of the recording, lawyers for Dr. Forson filed a supplementary affidavit supporting their motion for an order of mistrial, an injunction, and a stay of proceedings in the ongoing ambulance case.
Justice Asare-Botwey’s warning underscores the seriousness with which the court is treating these leaks. The National Security has been tasked with investigating the source of the unauthorized recording to prevent further breaches of court protocol.
The trial, which has garnered significant public and media attention, will continue under strict scrutiny to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the judicial process.