The office of the Attorney General (AG) has cautioned political commentators and persons opposing the criminal action against Member of Parliament for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam, Cassiel Ato Forson.
In a statement sighted by myjoyonline, the Attorney-General entreated such persons to refrain from passing undue comments on the matter and allow justice to take its course.
“The Attorney-General hereby entreats the general public, particularly political commentators and persons styling themselves as civil society, to permit the streams of justice to flow unhindered by refraining from undue public commentary on the criminal action instituted against the Member of Parliament for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam and two other citizens of Ghana,” a statement from the office of the Attorney General said.
The statement was in response to claims by the accused person (Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson) that the charges against him are trumped up and frivolous.
The AG described the claims by Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson as "burdened with factual misrepresentations and calculated at scandalising the criminal proceedings pending in the High Court."
“The said press statement was laden with factual misrepresentations and calculated at scandalising the criminal proceedings pending in the High Court, Accra against the Member of Parliament and exposing the Attorney-General to prejudice and hatred,” the statement from the AG's office added.
The statement noted that the office of the AG will “zealously prosecute crimes bordering on abuse of public funds which have been fully investigated and are considered to be worthy of prosecution.”
Background
The Attorney-General’s office has filed criminal charges including causing financial loss to the state against former Deputy Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and two others.
The two are; Sylvester Anemana who was a Chief Director at the Ministry of Health when the alleged crimes are said to have been committed and a businessman, Richard Jakpa.
The case relates to the procurement of 200 ambulances by the late Prof. John Evans Atta Mills and John Mahama-led government. Documents filed by the AG’s office trace the events culminating into the alleged crimes to an announcement made in the 2009 State of the Nation Address regarding plans to procure ambulances for the country.
The AG said following this address, the Ministry of Health (MOH) initiated action to acquire more ambulances. The 3rd accused person, Richard Jakpa is said to have used his company, Jakpa at Business, to present a proposal and Term Loan to the Ministry of Health which he claimed to have arranged from Stanbic Bank to finance the supply of the 200 ambulances to the government.
Cabinet, according to the AG, gave an Executive Approval for the project.
However, it emerged later that the ambulances had some defects which rendered them not fit for purpose.
Latest Stories
-
WAFCON 2024: Black Queens have the quality to beat all teams – Bjorkegren
1 hour -
T-bills auction: Government continues to miss target; investors seek high-yielding instruments
2 hours -
‘We’ve lost someone special’ – Deputy British High Commissioner to Ghana pays tribute to Diogo Jota
2 hours -
Kumasi receives new boost to its culinary services as local eateries commit to boost economic growth
2 hours -
Gold prices to remain elevated; Ghanaian government to take greater policy risks – Fitch Solutions
2 hours -
Accelerated student loan disbursement earns praise from Africa Education Watch
2 hours -
WAFCON 2024: Senegal brush DR Congo aside in Rabat
2 hours -
Resetting fiscal credibility: Why bond markets are taking notice
2 hours -
WAFCON 2024: Nigeria begin title bid with routine win over Tunisia
2 hours -
Ghana to host the 64th ACI World Congress in June 2026
2 hours -
Buipewura Abdulai Jinapor II named the Development-oriented Chief of the Year Award
2 hours -
Government to spend $1.4bn in 2025 in servicing debt to Eurobond holders
2 hours -
Princess Duncan receives honorary doctorate from Prowess University, USA
2 hours -
MiDA to drive Grow24 with proven MCC models
3 hours -
Airport Bypass Chaos: Commuters, residents decry deepening gridlock crisis
3 hours