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‘It was only an advice’, I’ll prosecute ambulance case – Attorney-General
Attorney General (AG) Godfred Yeboah Dame has indicated his intention to continue prosecuting the ambulance case, despite advice from the presiding judge to recuse himself.
The High Court judge overseeing the ambulance case, which involves Minority Leader Cassiel Ato Forson and Richard Jakpa, had earlier suggested that the AG should step away from the trial.
This recommendation came after the judge expressed concern over the AG’s interaction with the third accused person, Richard Jakpa, outside of the court.
The AG had discussed the facts of the case with Jakpa and had encouraged him to submit a medical excuse to the court to facilitate an adjournment.
However, the judge noted that this encounter does not provide sufficient grounds to discontinue prosecutions against the accused persons.
Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe advised the AG to remove himself from the direct prosecution of the case, believing that this would be in the best interest of the judiciary.
Despite this advice, Dame, during a press engagement after the proceedings stated that the judge’s comment was merely a suggestion. He has decided to proceed with the case, despite the judge’s caution.
“…The judge herself even after her ruling clarified that she has not given any such order at all but it is only an advice…I am conducting the matter I am still conducting the trial. The most important point today is that all the applications filed by the applicants have been dismissed in their entirety,” he said.
“All the five applications have failed. And I think that in reaction to this, I will say that it clearly shows that there are a group of people in this country who ride on manipulation of facts, distortion, and deception of the public. They are always seeking to mislead and deceive the public. Today they have been exposed,” he stated.
Source: Citinewsroom.com
Ghana’s First Lady, Lordina Mahama, has made a generous donation to the country’s national female Under-17 and Under-20 teams – Black Maidens and Black Princesses- as they continue preparations for major international assignments.
The donation, made on Friday, May 22, was presented on behalf of the First Lady by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, at the GFA Technical Centre in Prampram.
The gesture forms part of efforts to motivate and support Ghana’s young female footballers as they prepare to represent the country on the international stage.
The donation included essential food items and toiletries aimed at supporting the welfare and well-being of the players and technical teams.
The donation included cartons of Milo, T-rolls, soft drinks, toiletries, and a range of essential supplies aimed at supporting the welfare of the players, enhancing camp conditions, and easing preparations ahead of their respective assignments.
The Black Maidens are currently engaged in preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers and are set to take on Liberia women’s national under-17 football team in the second-leg encounter in Liberia this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Black Princesses have already secured qualification to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after overcoming Uganda in the qualifiers, extending Ghana’s remarkable record to eight consecutive appearances at the tournament.
The donation by the First Lady was expected to boost morale within both camps while reinforcing national support for the young female footballers who continue to make the country proud.
The prosecution has officially rested its case in The Republic v Solomon Asamoah & Another, the high-profile legal battle commonly referred to as the “Sky Train” case.
The Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai announced the development, praising the state’s team of hard-working prosecutors for successfully anchoring the state’s evidence before the High Court.
The criminal trial centers on the former Chief Executive Officer and the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
The duo stands accused of illegally authorizing and paying out US$2 million to a foreign company without obtaining board directives or other mandatory statutory approvals.
State investigators have confirmed that the disbursed millions cannot be found.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, the accused persons moved the court for an opportunity to file a submission of no case.
The presiding judge granted the application, ordering the defense to submit their arguments by June 8.
The outcome of the June 8 filings will decide the fate of the trial:
With this, if the judge finds the defense’s submission convincing, the accused will be acquitted and discharged however, If the judge dismisses the submission, the court will order the accused officials to take the stand and explain why they should not face prison sentences.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
