A private legal practitioner and member of the NPP communication team, Ishaq Ibrahim, has defended the plea bargain between Attorney General Godfred Dame and Richard Jakpa, describing it as “lawful” and “not unusual.”
During an appearance on Good Morning Ghana on Metro TV, Mr. Ibrahim stated, “The Attorney General, as the chief prosecutor, determines whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed. While the plea bargain has its advantages and disadvantages, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.”
Mr. Ibrahim cited international jurisdictions, saying, “For instance, in the UK and the US, and notably in the trial of Donald Trump, plea bargains are not uncommon.”
Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding the Ambulance Trial persists, with Attorney General Godfred Dame announcing plans to appeal the Court of Appeal’s decision to quash the trial of Minority Leader Cassiel Ato Forson and businessman Richard Jakpa.
Godfred Dame described the decision as “perverse” and “against the weight of cogent evidence,” adding, “The decision clearly undermines the quest for public accountability and the rule of law.”
Richard Jakpa, a key figure in the trial, had previously alleged that Godfred Dame approached him to implicate Mr. Ato Forson, stating, “The Attorney-General appeared pained because he had engaged me to help the state build a case against Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.”
The trial revolves around the purchase of 200 ambulances between 2014 and 2016, with Mr. Ato Forson and Mr. Jakpa accused of causing a €2.37 million financial loss to the state.
The Court of Appeal ruled that they had no case to answer, prompting Mr. Dame’s plans to appeal.
By: Vanessa Edotom Boateng | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana
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