Chief Justice declines petition to remove Judge from Ato Forson trial
A request to have the judge overseeing the case where Minority Leader and former Deputy Minister of Finance Cassiel Ato Forson and two others are charged with allegedly causing the state to lose €2.37 million in an ambulance deal rejected by Chief Justice Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
The petition was submitted by Richard Jakpa, a private businessman who is on trial alongside the minority leader.
The petition, which aimed to have Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, the trial judge, removed from overseeing the case, claimed that she was biased as a result of an incident that took place during one of the court sessions. Chief Justice
He claimed prejudice when the trial judge warned him sternly on June 20, 2023 that it would be the last time she would put up with any disrespect from him and let him leave.
When the case was called for hearing today (July 27), Justice Asare-Botwe informed the parties that the Chief Justice had considered the petition for the transfer of the case and had rejected it.
In the meantime, the minority leader’s attorneys have also submitted two motions: one requests that the presiding judge step aside, and the other requests that the Court release the minority leader’s passport.
The trial judge is anticipated to hear the motions later today.
Godfred Yeboah Dame, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice appeared in court to cross-examine Dr. Forson’s defense witness, Alex Mould, a former CEO of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation.
Former Chief Director of the Ministry of Health Sylvester Anemana is the other defendant in the lawsuit.
The three have entered a not-guilty plea on charges of wilfully causing the state to suffer financial loss, aiding in the willful cause of the state to suffer financial loss, violating the Public Procurement Act, and purposefully misusing public property.
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