Thursday, 31 October

Ato Forson acquittal: Dame failed by not inviting material witness - Kutor

Politics
Godfred Yeboah Dame, Attorney General and Minister of Justice

A member of the Legal Team of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Wonder Victor Kutor, has criticized Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, for failing to invite a crucial witness in the matter concerning the dismissed 2.3 million Euros case. 

Mr. Kutor argued that the Attorney-General did not exercise due diligence, leading to an inevitable failure.

Mr. Kutor, speaking on Accra 100.5 FM's Ghana Yensom Morning Show co-hosted by Otafrigya Kaayire Kwesi Apea-Apreku and Odehyeeba Kofi Essuman on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, explained that the first accused and Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, signed the Letters of Credit on August 18, 2016, for Big Sea, represented by Mr. Richard Jakpa who is the third accused.

He emphasized that the material witness in this case was the then Minister of Finance, Mr Seth Terkper, who was not summoned to testify in court by the Attorney-General leading to the Court of Appeal acquitting and discharging the accused persons in the matter of financial loss to the state and misapplying public property in a deal to purchase 200 ambulances for the State from 2014 to 2016 during his tenure as a Deputy Minister of Finance.

Mr . Kutor elaborated that the Finance Minister had directed his Deputy to sign the Letters of Credit for Big Sea to assist in the importation of ambulances into the country. 

He stated, "Any court of competent jurisdiction would not hesitate to invite a material witness like the Finance Minister, but the Attorney-General failed to do so."

During his remarks, Mr. Kutor discussed why the Attorney-General faced a humiliating defeat at the Court of Appeal. 

He criticized the Attorney-General for his comments about the Court of Appeal ruling, suggesting that such remarks were unbecoming of the leader of the Bar.

 Mr. Kutor concluded by stating that it is the Attorney-General's inalienable right to call for a review if he believes the ruling was incorrect.

Source: Classfmonline.com/Cecil Mensah