Accra High Court issues arrest warrant for third accused in trial of former Deputy Minister Ato Forson

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Accra High Court issues arrest warrant for third accused in trial of former Deputy Minister Ato Forson
Mr. Ato Forson

The High Court has taken decisive action in the ongoing trial involving Dr. , the Minority Leader, and former Deputy Minister of Finance, by issuing an arrest warrant for Mr. Richard Jakpa, the third accused person.

The court's decision stemmed from Mr. Jakpa's absence during proceedings, for which he provided a medical excuse via WhatsApp to the Clerk of the Court. However, the court deemed the provided document insufficient, as it failed to specify Mr. Jakpa's medical condition and did not meet the necessary requirements for his absence to be excused.

Mr. Jakpa and Dr. Forson are being prosecuted in connection with the purchase of ambulances. Dr. Forson, facing allegations of willfully causing financial loss to the state totalling 2,370,000 euros, was granted self-recognizance bail set at GH¢3 million. Additionally, he faces an additional charge of intentionally misapplying public property.

Meanwhile, Mr. Jakpa was granted bail amounting to five million Ghana Cedis, with the condition of three sureties, one of whom must provide documentation of landed property.

Presiding over the case, Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe underscored the inadequacy of the medical certificate provided by Mr. Jakpa, highlighting its lack of specificity regarding his alleged medical condition and the unknown authorship of the document.

Furthermore, Mr. Jakpa's absence during the continuation of his defense, scheduled for Thursday, March 21, 2024, compounded his legal situation, particularly as he had previously dismissed his lawyer, Mr. Thomas Aubynn, leaving him without legal representation in court.

The developments in this high-profile trial underline the complexities and procedural rigor inherent in such legal proceedings, emphasizing the importance of adherence to legal requirements and the necessity of proper representation for the accused.

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