{"id":2510,"date":"2024-07-31T04:37:41","date_gmt":"2024-07-31T04:37:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ghnewsbay.com\/?p=2510"},"modified":"2024-07-31T04:37:41","modified_gmt":"2024-07-31T04:37:41","slug":"i-had-even-forgotten-about-ato-forsons-appeal-application-so-i-was-pleasantly-surprised-by-the-ruling-mahama","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ghnewsbay.com\/?p=2510","title":{"rendered":"I had even forgotten about Ato Forson\u2019s appeal application so I was pleasantly surprised by the ruling \u2013 Mahama"},"content":{"rendered":"

The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Former President John Dramani Mahama, has said he was pleasantly surprised by the Court of Appeal ruling acquitting and discharging the accused person in the ambulance case.<\/p>\n

He says he had always held the view that Dr. Forson was innocent and hence feels vindicated by the court ruling.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that it shows the vindication that [Ato Forson] is innocent. We believe that this prosecution should never have taken place. Indeed, it [Court of Appeal\u2019s decision] came as a surprise because I had quite forgotten about the appeal.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThis appeal was made some time ago when they filed a no-case petition before the court and the High Court rejected it so they went to appeal.\u00a0 So it came as quite a pleasant surprise.\u00a0 But it shows that we still have justice in this country, we can work to make the judiciary that we want it to be,\u201d Mr\u00a0 Mahama said in an exclusive interview with TV3\u2019s Komla Klutse on Tuesday, July 30.<\/p>\n

On Tuesday, July 30 the High Court did not hear the Ambulance case in the light of the Court of Appeal\u2019s decision to acquit and discharge the accused persons Dr Cassiel Ato Forson and Richard Jakpa.<\/p>\n

The High Court was due to sit on Tuesday July 30 but on that same day, a Court of Appeal upheld an appeal on the Financial and Economic Court\u2019s decision by Minority Leader and former Deputy Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson.<\/p>\n

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The High Court in March 2023 ordered Dr Cassiel Ato Forson to open his defence after the Attorney General\u2019s office established prima facie against the former deputy finance minister in the 2.37 million Euro ambulance case.<\/div>\n
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Two others, Sylvester Anemana, a former Chief of Director, Ministry of Health, and Richard Jakpa, a businessman, who were standing trial with Dr Forson were also directed to open defense.<\/p>\n

Dr. Forson and the two have been variously charged with willfully causing financial loss to the state to the tune of 2.37 million Euros in the purchase of ambulances, which could not be used for their intended performance.<\/p>\n

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Lawyers of Dr Ato Forson filed a submission of no case after the prosecution closed its case but in its ruling on March 30, 2023, presiding judge, Justice Afia Serwah Asare Botwe indicated that the accused persons should open their defense.<\/div>\n
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The Court of Appeal in its decision on July 30 indicated that the High Court\u2019s decision should be set aside since \u201cthe prosecution failed to establish sufficient evidence. The trial judge erred in calling on A1(Dr Cassiel Ato Forson) to open his defense. No positively proven facts. Evidence based on Impermissible speculations. There is no link between the evidence heard and what happened for the third accused to be called to open defense.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The panel of three justices also acquitted and discharged the accused persons in the case.<\/p>\n

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The court also noted in its decision that: \u201cIf there is any financial loss, that was based on the Health Ministry\u2019s recklessness and be blamed on the Ministry of Health. If they worked in the interest of the state the whole ambulance would have been dealt with. Both appellants have made a case for them to be acquitted and discharged.\u201d<\/div>\n
Source: www.3news.com<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Former President John Dramani Mahama, has said he was pleasantly surprised by the Court of Appeal ruling acquitting and discharging the accused person in the ambulance case. 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