A tape containing voices alleged to be that of Attorney-General (A-G) Godfred Yeboah Dame and Richard Jakpa, the third accused person in the ongoing ambulance purchase trial, according to the NPP, is doctored.
The tape was played Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at a press conference organised by the NDC to present what they have referred as their incontrovertible evidence against the A-G coercing Mr. Jakpa to falsify a testimony against Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Leader of the Minority in Parliament.
Following the airing of the tape, the NPP at a counter press conference noted that the tape, although doctored, could not implicate the Attorney-General for engaging Mr. Jakpa to cajole him to falsify a testimony against the first accused, Dr. Ato Forson.
“Even on the Doctored tape, the Attorney General never requested the witness falsify, fabricate or concoct any evidence or testify in the prosecution’s favour,” said Frank Davies, a leading member of the NPP and private legal practitioner who addressed the media.
Background
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.
