Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minority Leader, has refuted recent media reports suggesting that he has submitted a plea bargain request in connection with the ongoing ambulance case.The Member of Parliament for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam has dismissed these reports as the work of his adversaries seeking to generate public disapproval against him.In a press release issued on Thursday, October 5, Dr.

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Ato Forson urged the public to disregard these reports, asserting that they lack any factual basis.“The publication is without any factual basis and an attempt to court public disaffection to the person of Hon Dr Cassiel Ato Forson.”“The Hon Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has not applied to the Honorable Court or the Attorney General Department for a plea bargain or out-of-court settlement.

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”He added in the release that he is ready to defend himself as he has opened his defense in the ongoing case.“The record would show that the Honorable Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has opened his defence in the trial and has since called some of his witnesses.”“The Honourable Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has throughout maintained his innocence having pleaded not guilty to the charges.

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”Dr Ato Forson and two others; former director of the Ministry of Health, Sylvester Anemana and businessman Richard Jakpa, are on trial for allegedly causing financial loss in the purchase of some ambulances during his time as Deputy Finance Minister.The Attorney General contends the state has lost €2.37 million due to the purchase of the ambulances which turned out to be defective.All three persons have pleaded not guilty.

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Lawyers representing the Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, led by Dr. Abdul Baasit Bamba, submitted an application on July 27, 2023, requesting the presiding judge to recuse herself from the case.Dr. Bamba argued that it was legally improper for the judge to preside over the motion for her own recusal.

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This request came after Justice Botwe had disclosed the outcome of a petition sent to the Chief Justice by another defendant involved in the case, Richard Jakpa. Jakpa had accused the judge of bias following a prior clash during a court proceeding.During the court session, Justice Botwe announced that a letter from the Chief Justice indicated that she could proceed with the case. Dr.

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Bamba then addressed the court, informing them of their motion for recusal.He clarified that certain comments made by the judge had raised concerns for the politician, leading him to believe that he might not receive a fair trial. Dr.

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Bamba pointed out that there is a legal principle that in cases where allegations of bias are as serious as the current one, the judge implicated should not be responsible for adjudicating the motion for recusal.“When Your Ladyship suggests that the witness who’s yet to be called and who has not expressed any unwillingness, will be arrested, that is unfair.

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The issues we are alluding to are so grave to the extent that for My Lady to say that if the person would not come he will be locked up, by Your Ladyship saying that these witnesses to be summoned could be locked up, it is problematic.”“The order you made that unsettled my client is that his case would be deemed closed if he is not able to get any of his witnesses called.

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This means we are being denied our right to a fair hearing,” he stated.But Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, later retracted the request for disqualification of Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, a Justice from the Court of Appeal with additional duties as a High Court judge.

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