Haruna Iddrisu, the Member of Parliament for Tamale South, has said an appeal by the Attorney-General on the ruling by the Appeals Court on the ambulance purchase trial will be an effort in futility.
Describing the verdict as courageous and independent, the former Minority Leader says the Supreme Court will not overturn the Appeals Court ruling that acquitted and discharged Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and Richard Jakpa.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament Tuesday, July 30, 2024, after the ruling, the lawmaker indicated that he has heard of attempts by the A-G, Godfred Yeboah Dame, to appeal the ruling at the Supreme Court, advising him to swallow a humble pie and desist from such.
“The Court of Appeal upheld that the decision by the High Court for him to proceed with submission of his case had no legal basis.
“I hear the AG instead of swallowing his humble pie is saying that he wants to litigate this matter. We assure him that he will be further disgraced. If you want to try people, try them on matters that are legally meritorious. The Minority is celebrating the independent courageous decision of the Court of Appeal,” he indicated.
His comments come on the back of a notice from the Attorney-General’s Office disclosing its intentions to appeal the matter at the Supreme Court.
According to the Office, the ruling is inimical to the fight against abuse of public office, and has declared its intentions to appeal the matter to erase what it describes as the error committed by the Appeals Court.
The Appeals Court on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, upheld an application of no case filed by first accused, Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson.
The order for Dr. Ato Forson to open his defence by the court in the ongoing ambulance purchase trial has been set aside by the Court of Appeal meaning the MP’s submission of no case has been upheld.
This decision overturned the previous order from the trial court, which required Dr. Ato Forson to present his defense.
The Court of Appeal’s ruling sets aside the trial court’s directive, delivered by Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe, which had dismissed Ato Forson’s submission of no case.
Dr. Ato Forson had argued that there was no case for him to answer, but this submission was initially rejected by the trial judge.
The Court of Appeal’s decision now upholds Dr Ato Forson’s submission.
As a result, Dr. Ato Forson is no longer required to open his defense in the ongoing trial, marking a significant development in the case.
The High Court says it is not hearing the case in light of the decision of the Court of Appeal.
A statement signed by the A-G Tuesday, July 30, following the ruling says “the verdict is inimical to the fight against impunity and abuse of public office.”
According to Godfred Yeboah Dame, his outfit will appeal the ruling to erase the effect of the Appeals Court decision it deems erroneous.
Find below the full statement:
Content by: Felix Anim-Appau
