Richard Jakpa, the third accused person in the ongoing ambulance purchase trial, faced an unexpected confrontation outside the Accra High Court as he dealt with a group of individuals demanding money from him.
The incident occurred after Jakpa spent two days testifying in court.
In a video shared by GHOne TV, Jakpa is seen in the parking lot of the court complex trying to move his Toyota Landcruiser while being accosted by the group of individuals, known locally as ‘goro boys,’ who were demanding money from him.
In the video, Jakpa is heard pleading for clemency, stating that he is “fighting for his liberty” and that the legal battle is expensive. He expresses frustration at the group’s insistence on asking for money from him, despite his circumstances.
“I am fighting for my liberty, you people too want to make money from me again, habba,” Jakpa is heard saying in the video as one of the individuals presses for monetary assistance.
Despite his pleas, the group continues to demand money from Jakpa, who is visibly frustrated by the situation. He is later joined in his car by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, an aide to former President John Dramani Mahama, as they drive out of the court premises.
Jakpa is standing trial alongside former Deputy Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson, in the purchase of ambulances. Both men have pleaded not guilty to charges of willfully causing financial loss to the state in excess of over 2.7 million euros.
Watch the video of Jakpa confronting ‘goro boys’ outside court