Ambulance contract: Court adjourns case to February 14
The prosecution presented its last witness, Mr. Rickson Gyimah, a former investigator with the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
The Accra High Court hearing the trial involving Dr. Ato Forson, a former Deputy Minister of Finance, and two others has adjourned to February 24, 2023, to continue with the cross-examination of the prosecution’s last witness in the case.
In court on Thursday, the prosecution presented its last witness, Mr. Rickson Gyimah, a former investigator with the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
In witness statements, he told the court investigations revealed that the first accused, Dr. Ato Forson acted without authorization when he instructed the Bank of Ghana to establish letters of credit which led to payments being made to Big Sea.
Mr. Gyimah also said investigations had revealed that Dr. Forson did not adhere to the advice from the Attorney-General on the contract and according to the terms of the contract, there was no need for advance payment.
“Payment must be made upon the delivery of the first batch of the ambulance before a letter of credit is established,” he said.
However, lawyers for Mr. Forson have refuted his statements, insisting their client only acted on behalf of former Finance Minister Seth Terkper.
Background
Former Deputy Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, and two others; Dr. Sylvester Anemana and businessman, Richard Jakpa have been charged by the state for causing financial loss, over the importation of 200 ambulances in a contract between the Ministry of Health and a Dubai-based company, Big Sea Limited in 2012.
They have been charged with five counts of willfully causing financial loss to the state, abetment to willfully cause financial loss to the state, contravention of the Public Procurement Act and intentionally misapplying public property, and have all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In January 2022, Dr. Forson was granted a self-recognisance bail of GH¢3 million for allegedly willfully causing a financial loss of 2,370,000 euros to the State.
He is also facing an additional charge of “intentionally misapplying public property contrary to section 1 (2) of the Public Property Protection Act, 1977 (SMCD 140).”
Dr. Sylvester Anemana, a Former Chief Director at the Ministry of Health, was also granted bail of GH¢1 million with three sureties one of whom shall be a public servant not below the rank of a director.
Mr. Richard Dzakpa, a businessman, also in the trial, was granted a GH¢5 million bail with three sureties one of whom must be justified with documents of landed property.
