An Associate Professor at the University of Ghana School of Law, Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua, has chastised the Attorney-General for his comments on the ruling of the Appeals Court on the ambulance procurement trial.
His comments were concurrent with that of the Ghana Bar Association who said Godfred Dame’s comments on the ruling were unwarranted.
Godfred Yeboah Dame had described the ruling by the Appeals Court as ‘perverse,’ ‘grossly unfair,’ and ‘erroneous.’ The comments, is what the GBA had said were uncalled for.
Prof. Atua, also reacting to the matter on Accra-based JoyFM took sides with the GBA, saying the A-G went too far with his comments as leader of the Bar.
“As the leader of the Bar, he went a little bit too far. The use of words like perverse… I am also of the view that it was unnecessary,” 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.
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.”
Meanwhile, the GBA has questioned the A-G if he would have made same comments had the decision gone in his favour.
Reacting to the A-G’s comments, the Public Relations Officer of the GBA, Saviour Kudze, indicated that the Justice Minister’s choice of words were unwarranted.
“Assuming the decisions were made in his favour, would he be using such words?” he quizzed.
According to him, “He [Attorney General] is the leader of the Bar. We shouldn’t expect him to be using such words.”
“You could say you disagree with the verdict of the court and you will take steps. I think that is what everybody does. “But an official leader using such words, we take an exception to it,” he added.
Ambulance purchase trial: Appeals Court ruling was predictable – Srem Sai
