Ato Forson trial: I’ll keep you in custody till trial is over – Judge warns Richard Jakpa over lateness

Third accused in the ongoing financial loss trial, businessman Richard Jakpa was at the receiving end of Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe’s anger after he failed to show up in court when the case was called on Tuesday, August 30.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, prayed the Court to exercise patience till the close of the day’s proceedings to enable Mr Jakpa to show up after the Presiding judge threatened to issue a bench warrant for his arrest.

The court then proceeded to stand down till the arrival of the third accused before resuming sitting.

“Mr. Jakpa, don’t ever come to court late again because if you do you can be assured that I will never rescind the bench warrant again.

“You are very fond of coming to court late. This is not the first time. If you ever come late again I will keep you in custody until the trial is over, ” Justice Asare Botwe said to Richard Jakpa after he eventually turned up in the courtroom.

Meanwhile, Minister of Health Kwaku Agyeman Manu during cross examination by lawyers of Ato Forson told the court that he was unaware of approvals of payments by his outfit under then-president Mahama’s administration to suppliers of ambulance, Big Sea Ltd.

Additionally, the health Minister said he was unaware, letters of credit had been issued by the Bank of Ghana at the behest of the Controller and Accountant General which formed the basis of payments toward the ambulances.

This was after lead counsel for Ato Forson, Dr Aziz Bamba showed Agyeman Manu documents corresponding such but the health Minister said he had not been made privy to them.

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The cross examination continues on September 1.

Former Deputy Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, who is also the NDC Member of Parliament (MP) for Ajumako Enyan Esiam, and the Ranking Member on the Finance Committee of Parliament, has been charged together with Sylvester Anemana, a former Chief Director of the Ministry of Health and Richard Jakpa, a businessman, for allegedly causing financial loss of €2.37 million to the state in a deal for the acquisition of some 200 ambulances for the country between 2014 and 2016.

The trio have all pleaded not guilty and are standing trial at the Accra High Court.

source:3news