Former Deputy Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has expressed satisfaction following his acquittal and discharge by the Court of Appeal on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in the ambulance procurement case.

The Court of Appeal acquitted and discharged Ato Forson in the case in the trial of some ambulances procured for the state.

Ato Forson and Richard Jakpa, the third accused in the case who represented Big Sea, had been accused of causing financial loss of €2.3 million to the state in the deal to purchase 200 ambulances for the country between 2014 and 2016.

In a post on his official X page after the ruling, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam Constituency quoted a portion of scripture to express his joy.

“Romans 9:14 What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all,” he stated.

The Minority Leader was accused of authorising the payment for ambulances that were allegedly defective and unfit for purpose.

The charges against him included causing financial loss to the state and misapplying public property.

The prosecution argued that his actions resulted in the government paying over €2.3 million for substandard ambulances.

According to a tweet by GHOne, the decision was arrived at by a 3-member panel of the Court of Appeal.

“Minority Leader and businessman Richard Jakpa have been acquitted and discharged by a Court of Appeal.

"A panel of three in a 2-1 majority decision said Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe’s ruling on the submission of no case to answer on March 30, 2023, for the accused to open his defence was in error”, the tweet said.

"The decision overturns the trial court’s order for Dr. Ato Forson to open his defence."

JKB/NOQ

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