The High Court in Accra presided over by Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe has said the trial of former Deputy Minister for Finance Dr Cassiel Ato Forson will not travel beyond May 31. Earlier, the Court had fixed May 3, 2024, for judgment but that will no longer hold following recent developments. Dr Forson, the current Minority Leader in Parliament together with Richard Jakpa, a private businessman are standing trial for allegedly causing financial loss to the republic in an ambulance deal in the sum of €2.37 million euros. Dr Sylvester Anemana (2nd Accused) who was earlier charged together with the two has been discharged after the Attorney General’s Office filed a Nolle Prosequi to discontinue with charges against him. They have pleaded not guilty to charges and are standing trial. Mr Jakpa who had earlier fired his lawyer was expected to continue with his evidence-in-chief on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. However, he was absent when the case was called for the second consecutive time after an excused duty was rejected. This resulted in the Court issuing an arrest warrant for his arrest. In Court on Tuesday, he was represented by Lawyer Thaddeus Sory, his new lawyer. The case has been adjourned to April 9 to give Mr Sory enough time to peruse the documents. Justice Asare-Botwe, a Justice of the Court of Appeal sitting with an additional responsibility as a High Court judge, said the trial won’t go beyond May 31. EIB Network Legal Affairs Correspondent Murtala Inusah reports that the earlier date fixed for judgment will no longer hold. Dr Ato Forson, the first accused person was present while an officer of the Court also confirmed he visited the hospital where the accused was. Background Dr. Ato Forson, the Minority Leader in Parliament, Sylvester Anemana, a former Chief Director at the Ministry of Health, and a private businessman, Richard Jakpa, are standing trial for allegedly wilfully causing financial loss of €2.37 million to the state, through a contract to purchase 200 ambulances for the Ministry of Health. The trial started on January 18, 2022, before the court presided over by Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, a Court of Appeal Judge sitting as an additional High Court Judge. They have pleaded not guilty to the five counts of wilfully causing financial loss to the state, abetment of crime, contravention of the Public Procurement Act and intentionally misapplying public property. Dr. Forson was granted a GHc3 million self-reconnaissance bail, while Anemana was granted a bail of GHc1 million with three surgeries one of whom must be a public servant not below the rank of a Director. Businessman, Richard Jakpa on the other hand was granted a bail of GHc5 million bail with three sureties one of whom must be justified with documents of a landed property. The prosecution led by the Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, and Director of Public Prosecutions, Yvonne Atakora-Obuobisa, called five witnesses, including the Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu to prove its case. Starrfm.com.gh
