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A source who recently met with a section of the media has revealed new audios that provide further evidence supporting Richard Jakpa’s claims.
The source stated that copies of these recordings will be distributed to the media along with additional damaging audios involving Attorney-General Godfred Dame in other cases.
One of the recordings allegedly captures Attorney-General Godfred Dame coaching Mr. Jakpa to provide false testimony against the Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
The Newsghana has obtained access to these new recordings and, after listening to them, reports that they appear to be even more damning and incriminating than the previously leaked audios.
Some of the recordings relate to the ongoing ambulance trial involving Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the former Deputy Finance Minister, who faced legal action from the state for his alleged involvement in the procurement of defective ambulances.
He was accused of causing financial loss to the state amounting to €2.4 million.
During cross-examination, Richard Jakpa, the third defendant in the case, claimed that the Attorney-General had been contacting him at odd hours to secure testimony against Dr. Forson.
This assertion has been vehemently denied by Mr. Dame.
Previously, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) released a 16-minute audio recording as evidence supporting Mr. Jakpa’s claims. However, media outlets, including The Newsghana, have now had the opportunity to listen to new audios beyond those leaked by the NDC.
One of the recordings features a conversation between Mr. Dame and Mr. Jakpa, wherein Dame allegedly instructs Jakpa on the statements to present in court, specifically targeting Dr. Forson.
In a significant development, the Court of Appeal recently acquitted and discharged Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson in the ongoing ambulance case.
The court set aside the order for Dr. Forson to open his defense, a decision previously mandated by the trial court.
The Director of Legal Affairs for the NDC, Edudzi Tamekloe, explained that the appeal was filed after the trial court dismissed their submission of no case, ruling that a case had been established against the accused.
The Court of Appeal, by a 2-1 majority, upheld the appeal, acquitting and discharging Dr. Forson and Mr. Jakpa.
The High Court had earlier dismissed an application by Dr. Forson for a mistrial and an inquiry into the conduct of the Attorney-General. Dr. Forson’s legal team cited a leaked tape between Mr. Dame and Mr. Jakpa, alleging that the Attorney-General attempted to coach Mr. Jakpa to implicate Dr. Forson.
The Minority Leader’s legal team argued that the Attorney-General’s conduct warranted a mistrial, as it undermined the rule of law and ethical standards of prosecution.
Despite these arguments, the trial judge ruled that there was no statutory provision justifying a mistrial in this case.
Following the acquittal by the Court of Appeal, Mr. Dame expressed his disagreement with the decision, stating that it was “inimical to the fight against impunity and abuse of public office” and announced his intention to appeal to the Supreme Court.
“The Office of the Attorney-General considers the decision of the Court of Appeal to be perverse in the quest for public accountability and the rule of law. The decision clearly goes against the weight of the cogent evidence presented by the prosecution,” Mr. Dame stated.
As the legal battles continue, the source indicated that it will proceed with releasing the tapes as and when necessary.
