Ambulance case: Court of Appeal upholds Forson, Jakpa Submission of no case

The Court of Appeal has acquitted and discharged Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and the third accused, Richard Jakpa, in the ongoing ambulance case. 

In a 2-1 decision, the court overturned a previous ruling by the trial court presided over by Justice Afia Serwaa Botwe, which ordered the accused persons to open their defense.

On March 30, 2023, the trial court dismissed a motion for submission of no case filed by the accused persons in the trial.

The court then ordered them to open their defense.

Therefore being dissatisfied by the ruling, the two accused persons went to the court of appeal to overturn the decision.

Today, the appellate court in a majority decision by Justice Kweku Tawiah Ackaah-Boafo and Justice Philip Bright Mensah granted the accused person's request for a stay of proceedings but Justice Poku Acheampong the presiding judge dismissed their request.

The ambulance trial is currently ongoing at the High Court where the two accused persons have concluded their testimonies and are yet to call witnesses to testify in the matter.

At the last sitting, the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Thomas Oppong-Peprah mounted the box while the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin expected to also testify.

The Minority Leader, Ato Forson, and businessman, Richard Jakpa, are facing charges of causing financial loss of €2.37 million related to a 200-ambulance procurement deal between 2014 and 2016. 

They have, however, pleaded not guilty to charges including wilfully causing financial loss, abetment, violation of the Public Procurement Act, and misapplication of public funds.