Abraham Amaliba, the Director of Conflict Resolution for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has criticised Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame for causing financial loss to the state in the ambulance case involving the Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
Mr Amaliba’s comments come after the Court of Appeal acquitted and discharged Dr Ato Forson and businessman Richard Jakpa on July 30.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Big Issue, Mr Amaliba argued that the AG’s refusal to accept a refund of 2.7 million euros from the company involved in the case has resulted in financial loss for Ghana.
He claimed that the court case was deliberately designed to persecute Dr. Ato Forson.
The Conflict Resolution Director explained that the company had agreed to pay back the 2 million euros they received from the government, plus an additional 700,000 euros, and take back their ambulances.
However, the AG refused this offer, opting instead to pursue prosecution.
Mr Amaliba questioned the wisdom of the AG’s decision, suggesting that accepting the refund would have been more beneficial for Ghana.
He noted that prosecuting the case would only lead to additional financial burdens on the state, including feeding, clothing, and providing medical care for the accused.
“Jakpa has not signed any agreement with the government of Ghana. Jakpa is just an agent of a company that entered an agreement with Ghana…In fact, the principal, in the course of this matter, the principal agrees to even pay back the money they collected from the government, which is 2 million euros, they added some 7 [hundred] as well, so that’s 2.7 million euros and then they can take back their vehicles, but you refused.”
“That’s for me is what I will call causing financial loss to the state on the part of the Attorney General. Today, with the ruling that we have and the fact that the two accused persons are walking freely, wouldn’t it have been better for you the AG to accept these 2.7 million euros and ask them to take their vehicles back? Wouldn’t Ghana be richer than you insisting to put somebody in jail?”
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