Ambulance case: Court admits tape recording, Jakpa cross-examined

The High Court presided over by Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, has admitted the audio recording between the third accused, Richard Jakpa, and the Attorney General, Godfred Dame, as evidence.

At the last court date, the prosecution led by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mrs. Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, objected to the submission of the audio by counsel for Ato Forson.

On his part, counsel for the first accused, Dr. Abdul Aziz Basit Bamba, described the DPP's objection as "frivolous and untenable, arguing that the audio is highly relevant to the case since it shows the Attorney General attempting to undermine the constitution.

When the case was called today, the court admitted the recording as evidence, holding that it’s relevant to determining the motive for prosecution.

Jakpa cross-examined

During his cross-examination by counsel for the first accused, Mr. Jakpa told the court that he met the Attorney General twice in 2022.

He added that those meetings occurred at night and that those interactions significantly shaped his understanding of his role in the case.

First ambulance set under warranty

The third accused further revealed in court that the first set of ambulances shipped was under a warranty and thus not intended for immediate use.

He said that the warranty stipulated specific conditions, which included the fact that the vehicles undergo thorough inspections and necessary adjustments before being deployed for use.

Mr. Jakpa further detailed that the warranty agreement was known to the relevant authorities in Ghana tasked with overseeing and commissioning the process.

Additionally, he disclosed that there were clear instructions to the effect that the ambulances should not be used until the processes and procedures were completed.

The court has meanwhile ordered the defense lawyers to file all other disclosures by June 14, 2024