Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the primary defendant in the ongoing ambulance trial, has filed for a mistrial.
He referenced recent developments involving a leaked telephone conversation between Mr. Jakpa and Attorney-General Godfred Dame.
In his affidavit filed on Friday, May 31, Dr. Ato Forson raised concerns about the leaked tape, which he believes reveals professional misconduct by the Attorney-General.
The recordings have been submitted and attached to the filed application.
Dr. Ato Forson is urging the court to declare a mistrial in the interest of justice, stressing the importance of not only delivering justice but also ensuring it is perceived as fair and impartial.
The Minority Leader contends that failing to order a mistrial under these circumstances, where the Attorney-General appears to blatantly disregard the rule of law and ethical standards of prosecution, could severely undermine public confidence in the judicial process.
Background
Richard Jakpa, under cross-examination, revealed that the Attorney General had been contacting him at unusual hours to solicit testimony against the Minority Leader, Dr. Ato Forson.
This revelation has sparked discussions among Ghanaians, with some individuals calling for the resignation of Attorney General Godfred Dame.
Dr. Ato Forson, former Deputy Finance Minister and current Minority Leader, is currently on trial for his alleged involvement in the procurement of defective ambulances for Ghana.
At a press conference, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) played a 16-minute tape allegedly featuring a conversation between the Attorney General and Jakpa.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has refuted the claims made in the audio, asserting that it has been “doctored and manipulated” with malicious intent.
