High Court admits Dame-Jakpa tape into evidence

The High Court in Accra has rejected the State Prosecutors objection to the admissibility of the audio recording of the conversation between Richard Jakpa and Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame, allowing the tape to be entered as evidence.

Presiding judge Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe has instructed Defense lawyers to file any additional evidence they wish to submit by the following day, Friday June 14, 2024, or risk not being able to file it at all.

Prosecution, led by Director of Public Prosecution Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, objected to the audio being played in open court but was overruled. Defense counsel, Dr. Abdul Aziz Basit Bamba, argued that the Attorney General’s actions were contemptuous and undermined the authority of the court.

Dr. Bamba further argued that the Attorney General overstepped his role by pressuring the accused to accept his theory, stating that this was an abuse of his authority as chief prosecutor. The absence of Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame raised questions about his involvement in the case.

The case involves accusations of causing financial loss to the republic through the purchase of ambulances. Accused parties Dr. Ato Forson and Richard Jakpa have pleaded not guilty. Witnesses have been called, including former ministers and government officials.

Richard Jakpa’s testimony took a surprising turn when he accused the Attorney General of pressuring him to implicate the minority leader. One of the accused, Dr. Sylvester Anemana, has been discharged due to health reasons after the Attorney General dropped charges against him.