The Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice, led by Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame, has expressed strong disapproval at the recent Court of Appeal ruling involving former Deputy Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson and two others.
This follows the Appeal Court’s decision to allow the appeal against the dismissal of a no-case submission. The decision, made by a 2-1 majority, now mandates that the accused open their defense.
In a statement issued today, the Attorney-General described the decision as “perverse in the quest for public accountability and the rule of law,” arguing that it heavily contradicts the substantial evidence presented by the prosecution.
The case centers around the importation of vehicles purported to be ambulances in December 2014, which the Attorney-General contends violated the terms of the governing contract. The Ministry of Health, under then-Minister Sherry Ayittey, had advised against the importation, noting that there was no request for such vehicles or for the establishment of letters of credit to facilitate their payment.
Despite the lack of authorization, the accused allegedly instructed the Bank of Ghana and the Controller and Accountant-General to issue letters of credit in August 2014. Upon arrival, the vehicles were found to be significantly deficient, lacking essential parts and equipment required for ambulances. They were described by former Health Minister Dr. Alex Segbefia as “ordinary vans” unfit for conversion into ambulances, a conclusion supported by a report from authorized Mercedes Benz dealers.
Given these findings, the Attorney-General’s office deems the Court of Appeal’s decision to be detrimental to the nation’s efforts to combat impunity and public office abuse. In response, the office has announced its intention to file an appeal to reverse what it considers an erroneous ruling.
Read full statement below:
