Court Dismisses Ato Forson’s Mistrial Motion in Ambulance Trial

An Accra High Court has dismissed an application by Minority Leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forson seeking a mistrial and an inquiry into the conduct of the Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame in the ongoing ambulance purchase case.

On Monday, June 3, counsel for Dr. Forson filed a supplementary affidavit in support of his motion for a mistrial, injunction, and/or stay of proceedings in the case against him and two others.

The Minority leader’s counsel argued that the leaked tape purportedly involving the Attorney-General and the third accused, Richard Jakpa, in which Mr. Dame allegedly attempted to coach Jakpa to implicate Dr. Forson does not speak well of his position as Attorney General hence called for the prosecution to be declared a mistrial.

“It has become necessary to file this affidavit in order to bring to the attention of the Court and in the interest of justice, certain pertinent, material, and relevant matters that have a bearing on the fair and just determination of the current application,” the affidavit stated.

Additionally, Dr. Forson’s legal team intended to play the audio recording in open court to support their claims but trial judge, Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe, stated that the Minority Leader, Cassiel Ato Forson, had not provided any statutory provisions that warrant a mistrial in this case or justify an inquiry into the conduct of the Attorney General.

However, Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe, urged the Attorney-General to distance himself from the direct prosecution of the case.

According to her, distancing himself from the trial is for the greater good of the Judiciary.