Richard Jakpa, the third accused person in the ambulance purchase trial, has revealed that the Attorney-General, Godfred Dame Yeboah was well aware of his innocence as an agent of Big Sea Limited, the company contracted by the state to supply some 200 ambulances.
He noted that the A-G once made it clear to him that agents, in law, are not liable for the acts of their principals.
This was contained in Jakpa’s latest application, asking the High Court to strike out all charges against him.
Richard Jakpa, is the Executive Chairman of Jakpa Business Limited (JBL), an agent representing Big Sea, the company the prosecution claims supplied “unfit” ambulances to the state.
During court proceedings on Thursday, May 23, 2024, Mr Jakpa alleged that the Attorney-General has been engaging him several times to help him implicate Dr Ato Forson in his testimony.
The prosecution claims Dr. Ato Forson issued letters of credit without authorization from his then-boss, Finance Minister Seth Terkper.
However, Mr. Terkper testified in court that he did indeed authorise Dr. Ato Forson to establish the letters of credit.
Despite this testimony, the case continued, with the third accused, Richard Jakpa, currently being cross-examined.
“Hon. Dame also explained to me that the first accused’s prosecution had to be undertaken because of pressure from the former Minister for Finance [Dr. Ken Ofori Atta and the President] and assured me repeatedly that I was not the target of the prosecution.
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‘Based on the interaction I had with Hon. Dame, a relationship of trust developed between us because I believed him since as a lawyer and the person who initiated the prosecution, he assured me that as an agent, I am not, in law, liable for my principal’s actions,” Mr Jakpa stated in court documents.
Additionally, he indicated that Mr Dame after listening to him during one of their engagements, further assured him that he (Godfred Dame) “now appreciated the facts and issues relating to the transaction and indicated to me that in law agents are not liable for the acts of their principals.”
However, the third accused armed with these details asked the Attorney-General to file a nolle prosequi to discontinue the proceedings against him as in the case of the second accused.
“Hon, Dame answered that it will then leave only the first accused which will make it even more obvious that the first accused is the target of the prosecution,” Mr Jakpa stated in his affidavit.
Former Deputy Finance Minister and current Minority Leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Dr Sylvester Anemana a former Chief Director of the Ministry of Health and Businessman, Richard Jakpa are standing trial in connection with the importation of the 30 ambulances.
The state has, however, discontinued the case against the second accused person, Mr Anemana.
