The Accra High Court presided over by Justice Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh dismissed an application for a stay of proceedings filed by the legal team for Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson. According to a Daily Graphic report the court determined that the Minority Leader did not demonstrate any exceptional circumstances that would warrant a pause in the ongoing criminal trial. This ruling ensures that the prosecution of the case involving the procurement of ambulances for the Ministry of Health will proceed as scheduled.
Dr. Ato Forson and a former Chief Director at the Ministry of Health Sylvester Anemana face charges of causing financial loss to the state. A Citi Newsroom report indicates that the charges are linked to the purchase of 20 ambulances found to be faulty. Richard Jakpa the third accused person is also allegedly involved in the procurement process which the state claims led to a loss of 2.37 million euros. The defense team argued that the trial should be halted pending the outcome of an appeal against an earlier court decision to admit certain evidence.
The prosecution led by the Attorney General successfully argued against the stay application. As noted by a GhanaWeb report the state contended that the application was a tactic meant to delay the judicial process. The court agreed with the view that the interests of justice are best served by a continuous and expeditious trial. All three defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them by the state and maintain their innocence throughout the proceedings.
The case centers on a 2014 contract between the Government of Ghana and a Dubai based company for the supply of 200 ambulances. A Joy News report states that the first batch of vehicles arrived in Ghana but were deemed unfit for purpose by medical experts. The state alleges that payments were authorized despite the failure to meet the contract specifications. The trial is expected to continue with the testimony of witnesses as the court seeks to reach a final verdict on the alleged procurement irregularities.