The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is citing the third accused person in the ambulance purchase trial, Richard Jakpa, as a hired mercenary by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to exploit the relationship between the A-G and Supreme Court judge, Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi.
According to the NPP, it is because the NDC is aware that the A-G cannot disrespect the judge upon invitation to his house, they planted the third accused, Richard Jakpa, there, in order to conclude that Mr. Dame met him as being propagated.
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.
The NDC, following the testimony in court on Thursday, held a press conference on Tuesday, May 28, to present what they call the evidence indicating the A-G’s attempt to influence the third accuse.
Prior to the presser, the NPP had preempted that the NDC was going to talk about a meeting that ensued at the residence of one Supreme Court judge where both Jakpa and Dame were present.
However, the NDC, during its address to the media did not mention anything regarding the said meeting, but rather played an audio recording, alleged to be a telephone conversation between Dame and Jakpa, together with screenshots of a conversation on WhatsApp between the two.
But the NPP in its press conference later in the day chose to address the meeting at the Supreme Court judge’s residence, saying Jakpa, the third accused, has been hired to create disaffection between the A-G and the Supreme Court judge.
“Ladies and gentlemen, if the Attorney General desired to cajole the 3rd Accused as suggested, then the best avenue would have been following 3rd Accused request for the AG to propose terms acceptable to him and the several whatsap messages sent to the AG, pleading with him. Clearly, the 3rd accused is a hired mercenary, contracted to exploit his relationship with the Supreme Court Judge, knowing the AG’s inability to disrespect the said justice when invited after failing to secure a meeting with the AG,” Frank Davies, a leading member of the NPP and private legal practitioner, relayed to the media.
Dame’s meeting with Jakpa scandalous, he must resign – Former Director of Ghana School of Law
