Dame reports to CID over Jakpa petition

Former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame has reported to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to assist with investigations into a petition filed against him.

The petition was lodged by Richard Jakpa, Director of Special Operations at the National Security Secretariat, who has accused the former Attorney General of alleged misconduct and what he describes as attempted fabrication of evidence.

Mr. Jakpa, a key figure in the ongoing ambulance procurement case involving Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, is calling for a full probe into Dame’s conduct during the trial.

Speaking to journalists in Accra on Monday, October 6, lawyer Kobby Amoah, who accompanied Dame to the CID headquarters, said they were there to ensure due process was followed.

“We are here to support the former Attorney General, Godfred Dame… There is a presumption of innocence, so anyone who has been accused of doing something, unless the person has been proven guilty, the person is still innocent,” Amoah stated.

He added, “So as lawyers, we are here to ensure that that is true… I think we are all aware why he’s here, about certain allegations that have been made against him flowing from Ato Forson trial… We are here to support him, and we are here to prove his innocence… I think so far it’s been so good. We are all following the regular processes.”

Mr. Dame, who served as Attorney General under the Akufo-Addo administration, is yet to publicly comment on the petition or the details of his appearance before the CID.

Former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame led the prosecution of businessman Richard Jakpa and current Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson in one of Ghana’s most closely watched corruption trials.

The case, which centred on the controversial procurement of ambulances for the Ministry of Health, alleged financial loss to the state and breaches of procurement laws.

Prosecutors claimed that between 2014 and 2016, Dr. Forson, then serving as Deputy Finance Minister, authorized payment for defective ambulances without proper approval. Jakpa, who was said to have facilitated the contract on behalf of a Dubai-based company, was accused of abetment.

Both men denied any wrongdoing, insisting that the transaction was approved through the appropriate channels.

The case took a dramatic turn when Jakpa accused Mr. Dame of attempting to influence his testimony. In open court, Jakpa alleged that the Attorney General had privately urged him to implicate Dr. Forson in exchange for leniency.

The accusation prompted widespread public debate and demands for an independent probe into the conduct of the Attorney General. Mr. Dame, however, strongly denied any wrongdoing, describing the allegations as a deliberate ploy to divert attention from the substantive case.

After months of hearings and intense media scrutiny, the High Court eventually dismissed the case, acquitting both Jakpa and Dr. Forson.

The ruling brought an end to a high-profile legal battle that had drawn sharp political and public reactions.