The Attorney-General (A-G), Godfred Yeboah Dame, according to flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has been discredited enough since he assumed his position.
Mahama is suggesting that the A-G, instead of dispensing his core duties, has chosen to abort his role as Minister of Justice and only acting “like a legal representative of the NPP.”
According to the former President, there is another ambulance case involving the daughters of President Akufo-Addo, the enormity of which outweighs that of the procurement matter involving the Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
In an exclusive interview with TV3’s parliamentary correspondent, Courage Komla Klutse, in Cape Coast Tuesday, July 30, 2024, after the ruling, John Mahama noted that if the A-G really wants to dispense justice, he should prosecute the scandal involving Akufo-Addo’s daughters.
“I think that this Attorney-General has been discredited enough. Anywhere in the world with the things we’ve seen and the coaching of witnesses and discussion with witnesses, this prosecution would have been struck out as a malicious prosecution. I believe this prosecution is malicious. He is not as robust and energetic in pursuing cases that are okay,” he said.
“Even just as we’re talking, there’s an ambulance case involving this present administration which is hugely larger than what he’s prosecuting and yet he has no interest in that. He is like a legal representative of the NPP, over-enthusiastic in pursuing political opponents. I’ve said that when we come, it will be the reverse,” he assured.
This was a reaction from the former President after a 2:1 majority decision from the Appeals Court that acquitted and discharged the Minority Leader and the third accused in the matter, Richard Jakpa.
The Appeals Court on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, upheld an application of no case filed by first accused, Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson.
The order for Dr. Ato Forson to open his defence by the court in the ongoing ambulance purchase trial has been set aside by the Court of Appeal meaning the MP’s submission of no case has been upheld.
This decision overturned the previous order from the trial court, which required Dr. Ato Forson to present his defense.
The Court of Appeal’s ruling sets aside the trial court’s directive, delivered by Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe, which had dismissed Ato Forson’s submission of no case.
Dr. Ato Forson had argued that there was no case for him to answer, but this submission was initially rejected by the trial judge.
The Court of Appeal’s decision now upholds Dr Ato Forson’s submission.
As a result, Dr. Ato Forson is no longer required to open his defense in the ongoing trial, marking a significant development in the case.
The High Court says it is not hearing the case in light of the decision of the Court of Appeal.
Meanwhile, a statement signed by the A-G Tuesday, July 30, following the ruling says “the verdict is inimical to the fight against impunity and abuse of public office.”
Source:onuaonline.com