Minority Leader, Ato Forson denies plea bargain rumours in ambulance case, calls them baseless and malicious

The Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has fiercely refuted claims that he has asked for a plea deal in a recent development involving the continuing ambulance saga.

Dr. Forson, who represents the Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam constituency, addressed the issue in a press release issued on Thursday, October 5, asserting that these reports are baseless and intended to tarnish his reputation.

“The publication is without any factual basis and an attempt to court public disaffection to the person of Hon Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson,” the statement read.

“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.”

The release emphasized Dr. Forson’s commitment to defending himself in the ongoing legal proceedings. “The record would show that the Honorable Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has opened his defense 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.”

The controversy surrounding the case took al turn as lawyers representing Dr. Ato Forson, led by Dr. Abdul Baasit Bamba, moved an application on Thursday, July 27, 2023, requesting the recusal of the presiding judge, Justice Botwe.

Dr. Bamba argued that it was legally incorrect for the judge to hear the motion for recusal herself, citing concerns of bias. This application came in the wake of another accused person in the case, Richard Jakpa, who had also accused Justice Botwe of bias following a previous altercation during a hearing.

In response to Dr. Bamba’s motion, Justice Botwe disclosed that she had received a letter from the Chief Justice indicating that she could continue overseeing the case. Dr. Bamba expressed his reservations, pointing out that the judge’s comments had unsettled his client and raised doubts about receiving a fair trial.

“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,” Dr. Bamba argued.

“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.”

He further highlighted the concerns about the judge’s order that the case would be considered closed if Dr. Forson could not call any of his witnesses, asserting that it amounted to a denial of their right to a fair hearing.

The ongoing ambulance case involves Dr. Ato Forson and others in relation to alleged misappropriation of funds in the procurement of ambulances.