Seth Tekper, Sherry Ayitey Fingered To Have Sabotaged Ambulance Deal – Jakpa’s Testimony Turns On It’s Head As AG Tightens Noose Around His Neck
The ongoing ambulance procurement trial took a dramatic turn as Richard Jakpa, the third accused, made startling statements before the Accra High Court, unveiling alleged private dealings with the Attorney-General and claiming political interference from members of his own party.
During a tense cross-examination led by Director of Public Prosecution Yvonne Atakorah-Obuobisa, Jakpa disclosed that he had personally reached out to Attorney-General Godfred Dame to assert his innocence and seek assistance in securing his acquittal. He recounted that his interaction with the Attorney-General was initially to thank him for his role in aiding his bail process.
Jakpa asserted that both he and the first accused, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, were innocent, placing the blame solely on Dr. Sylvester Anemana. In a surprising twist, Jakpa claimed that the Attorney-General had assured him that the target was Forson, and promised to secure his acquittal during the submission of the no-case stage.
Jakpa also alleged political interference, pointing fingers at former Finance Minister Seth Terkper and former Health Minister Sherry Ayittey. He recounted a prior radio appearance where he accused Terkper of sabotaging the ambulance project, leading to a heated exchange with Forson, who defended Terkper.
“In 2017 I went on Joy FM to discuss how Seth Terkper had sabotaged the ambulance deal. Ato Forson called in to defend his boss and I exchanged words with Ato Forson and told him to stick to his parliamentary work because Hon. Seth Terkper started sabotaging this project right from the time he was Deputy Minister of Finance. I told him on radio to get his boss to come and respond to me,” Jakpa stated.
Amidst escalating tensions, Jakpa explicitly called out Terkper and Ayittey, highlighting their purported involvement in the affair. Seeking to unveil the truth, Jakpa urged the Attorney-General to designate him as a prosecution witness to expose the alleged misconduct by Terkper and Ayittey. “I told the Attorney-General that as of July 17, 2022, he should make me the prosecution witness to expose Seth Terkper and Sherry Ayittey,” Jakpa asserted, countering his earlier claims that the Attorney-General was coercing him to stand as a prosecution witness.
The courtroom atmosphere intensified as Jakpa’s revelations unfolded, painting a vivid picture of intrigue and political machinations underlying the high-profile trial. These allegations have added a new layer of complexity to the case, already mired in controversy. The trial now faces deeper scrutiny as accusations of personal vendettas and doubts about the impartiality of the legal proceedings come to light.