Attorney-General Denies Allegations in Ato Forson Ambulance Case

The Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice has refuted claims made by Richard Jakpa, the third accused in the high-profile Republic versus Cassiel Ato Forson & Others case, regarding alleged coercion by the Attorney-General. This statement was made during court proceedings on May 23, 2024, and has been echoed in media commentary, particularly by individuals associated with the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The allegations, brought up during court proceedings on May 23, 2024, suggested that the Attorney-General sought Jakpa's cooperation to secure a conviction against the first accused, Cassiel Ato Forson.

However, the Attorney-General's office has categorically denied these claims, maintaining that the prosecution's case has been based entirely on the records of the disputed transaction involving the purchase of vans falsely presented as ambulances.

Attorney-General's Office Response

In response to the allegations, the Attorney-General’s office clarified that it has never sought the cooperation of any accused individuals in the case. The prosecution had established a prima facie case against all accused parties without needing additional testimony from them. Furthermore, neither the Attorney-General nor any representative from his office had approached any of the accused for evidence.

The office also highlighted that it was, in fact, Jakpa who had initiated proposals for plea bargaining through multiple letters dated April 27, May 16, May 30, and June 12, 2023. These proposals have not been accepted by the Attorney-General, despite the legal provisions that allow for plea negotiations post-proposal.

Pressure and Rejection of Plea

The Attorney-General’s statement underscored that he has faced significant pressure from various quarters to discontinue the prosecution of Cassiel Ato Forson. Notably, there is video evidence of Forson meeting with the Attorney-General to request the cessation of his prosecution, a request that was firmly denied.

Allegations Considered a Diversion

According to a statement signed by Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Alfred Tuah Yeboah, the office views the recent allegations as a tactic by the NDC to divert attention from the substantive issues of the case and to exert further pressure to drop the charges. The Deputy A-G has maintained that the office remains committed to pursuing the case rigorously and has urged the public to disregard the misleading claims.

Focus on Justice

Additionally, the Deputy A-G, Alfred Tuah Yeboah, has reaffirmed the commitment of his office to ensure justice and accountability. The office remains resolute in its prosecution efforts, focused on addressing the financial losses incurred by the state due to the alleged actions of the accused.