The Minority Leader in Parliament, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has petitioned the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, requesting a live broadcast of proceedings in the ongoing ambulance purchase trial.
A letter written by the lawyers of Dr. Ato Forson to the Chief Justice says the request is in the interest of transparency and accountability to advance the course of justice for all parties in the trial.
The Minority Leader, who is the first accused amongst three persons, has been charged with causing financial loss to the state for purchasing some faulty ambulances for the state.
The trial which has had many dimensions regarding the Attorney-General’s alleged attempt to manipulate one of the accused, Richard Jakpa, to give a false testimony against the former Deputy Finance Minister has caused a stir in the country, making him request for a live broadcast of the hearing.
Dame-Jakpa saga ‘puts into question, justice delivery regime under this A-G’ – Srem Sai
“We write to formally request the live broadcast of all subsequent court proceedings in the case of Republic Vs. Cassiel Ato Forson & 2 Ors (Case No: CR/0198/2022). This request is made on behalf of our Client in the light of recent developments that have significantly impacted public perception of the case and the administration of justice.
“Our Client, Honourable Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, is the Minority Leader in Parliament and the Member of Parliament for the Ajumako Enyan Esiam Constituency in the Central Region of Ghana. He was arraigned before the High Court, Accra (Financial & Economic Division “2”) on 17th January 2022 and charged with wilfully causing financial loss to the Republic and intentionally misapplying public property. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.The prosecution closed its case on 14th February 2023, and on a submission of no case the court ruled that the accused persons, including our Client, had a case to answer. In the ruling on the submission of no case to answer, the trial court held, inter alia, as follows:
“On the part of A1, he insists that he had the authority of the Minister of Finance, whose deputy he was, to issue the request. That said, however, the law is clear, that where a negative averment is made, in this case, that A1 acted without authority, and then there is a positive one, the onus is on the one making the positive assertion to prove the positive… In such circumstances, it is for A1 to adduce evidence to show that he had authority. The burden on the accused person, however, is not as high as that on the prosecution. The accused person only needs to raise a reasonable doubt,” portions of the petition contained.
Ambulance Case: Prosecution of Ato Forson incompetent, needless – Bright Simons
