John Dramani Mahama, flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has commented on the Appeals Court ruling that acquitted and discharged Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and Richard Jakpa in the ambulance purchase trial.
The former President, commending the court for discharging justice, advised the Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, to let the case die, following his decision to appeal the matter at the Supreme Court.
According to him, the Attorney-General’s intent to appeal the matter shows how malicious and eager he is to prosecute the matter.
In an exclusive interview with TV3’s parliamentary correspondent, Courage Komla Klutse, in Cape Coast Tuesday, July 30, 2024, after the ruling, John Mahama expressed his readiness to work with the Chief Justice and the Judicial Council to ensure justice is dispensed to every Ghanaian irrespective of class and status.
He also described the ruling as a landmark decision, asking the A-G to abort his intentions to go for an appeal.
“I’m prepared to come as president, work with the Chief Justice, work with the Judicial Council to make sure that we have a judiciary that is fair, that dispenses justice to all without recognition of your political or ethnic color, without recognition of who you are.
“And so, I think that this is a landmark decision. And if I was the Attorney General, I would just let it rest there.
“But I hear he says he’s going to go to the Supreme Court. It shows how malicious his eagerness is to prosecute these cases,” he indicated.
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.”
According to Godfred Yeboah Dame, his outfit will appeal the ruling to erase the effect of the Appeals Court decision it deems erroneous.
Find below the full statement:
