The 3rd accused person in the ongoing ambulance trial, Richard Japka, on Thursday, July 20, 2024, informed the court during his cross examination by the prosecution that the former Ministers of Finance and Health in the Mahama administration, Hon Seth Terkper and Hon Shirley Ayittey were evil, and that, they deliberately sabotaged the ambulance project.
Richard Jakpa is standing trial together with Hon Ato Forson, a former Deputy Finance Minister and the Minority Leader in Parliament, for willfully causing financial loss to the State in the botched ambulance transaction.
The prosecution had tendered in court documentary evidences in support of its case, and was able to establish a prima facie case against all the accused persons.
The prosecution led evidence to show that the transaction had not received the necessary approvals as required by law, and that the then Health Minister, Shirley Ayittey and the Finance Minister, Seth Terkper had objected to this transaction citing irregularities, breaches of law, as well as value for money concerns.
Having established a solid case against all the accused persons, the court ordered them to open their defense, in the course of which the 3rd accused person is currently being cross examined by the prosecution to ascertain the veracity of his claims. It was during this exercise that he (Japka) informed the court that the ambulance transaction was sabotaged by the two former Ministers, and claimed that, they were evil.
Meanwhile, Hon Ato Forson, the first accused person had earlier informed the court that his former boss (Hon. Seth Terpker) was the person who authorized the transaction. Jakpa’s testimony today has essentially confirmed the case of the prosecution that Ato Forson acted without lawful authority thereby occasioning the loss to the State.
The cross examination of the 3rd accused person by the prosecution continues on Thursday, 27th June 2024.