The Financial and Economic Court 2 of the Accra High Court has issued an arrest warrant for businessman Richard Jakpa.
The third accused in the ambulance purchase case failed to show up in court after sending a medical excuse to the clerk.
But examining the document, Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe noted that the Excuse Duty did not indicate the condition for which Mr Jakpa is receiving medical treatment.
On Tuesday, March 19, Richard Jakpa dismissed his lawyer and prayed for an adjournment in order to acquire the services of another lawyer. His request was however turned down by the court and he was made to open his defense.
Richard Jakpa was supposed to continue with the oral submission of his witness testimony but failed to show when the case was called.
The court noted that since he had no representation in court there was no way to get an official message to him.
Justice Asare-Botwe therefore issued an arrest warrant for Richard Jakpa and adjourned the case to March 26.
Former Deputy Finance Minister and Minority Leader, Dr. Ato Forson, Dr Sylvester Anemana as well as private businessman, Richard Jakpa, are standing trial for willfully causing financial loss of €2.37 million to the state, through a contract to purchase 200 ambulances for the Ministry of Health, among other charges.