National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has described the actions of the Attorney-General (A-G), Godfred Yeboah Dame, regarding his meeting with Richard Jakpa as an act of perjury.
In law, one commits perjury when he or she willfully tells an untruth or makes a misrepresentation under oath.
Mr. Nketia’s comments come in relation to the matter involving the Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame and Richard Jakpa, an accused person in the ongoing ambulance trial who accused the A-G of meeting him at odd hours to falsify a testimony against the former Deputy Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
Dr. Ato Forson, a former Deputy Finance Minister and current Minority Leader, is facing charges with two others, including Richard Jakpa, for their alleged involvement in the procurement of faulty ambulances for Ghana.
During cross examination by counsel for the Minority Leader in court Thursday, May 23, 2024, Jakpa was cautioned by the trial judge, Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe to be direct in his responses and avoid wasting the time of the court.
In response to the judge’s caution, Attorney-General Yeboah Dame accused Jakpa of defending the Minority Leader.
The accusation prompted Mr Jakpa to retort that the Attorney-General seemed aggrieved because he had previously failed to get him (Jakpa) to help the state build a case against Dr. Ato Forson.
“The A-G has on several occasions engaged me at odd hours to help him make a case against A1 and I have evidence for that.. If he pushes me, I will open the Pandora’s box. I don’t understand why the A-G will accuse me of defending A1 when I’m here to defend myself,” Mr Jakpa said in court.
“If he pushes me, I’ll open the Pandora’s box. I have evidence to all this,” he added.
Contradicting Jakpa’s allegations, Attorney General Godfred Dame asserted that it was Jakpa who had repeatedly reached out, sending several letters to request a plea bargain in hopes of having the charges against all accused persons dropped.
However, the A-G clarified that no agreement had been reached regarding these proposals.
At a press conference Tuesday, May 28, 2024, the NDC Chairman said what the Attorney-General did in relation to the matter is tantamount perjury since he is influencing the accused to lie under oath.
Dame’s meeting with Jakpa scandalous, he must resign – Former Director of Ghana School of Law
