By Bubu Klinogo
Former Deputy Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson who is standing trial for willfully causing financial loss to the State together with two others have pleaded not guilty to all five charges leveled against them. Dr. Forson, who is also Member of Parliament for Ajumako Enyan Esiam, has been charged together with Sylvester Anemana, former Chief Director of the Ministry of Health and Richard Jakpa, a Businessman, for allegedly causing financial loss of 2.37 million euro to the State in a deal to purchase some 200 ambulances for the country between 2014 and 2016.
Lawyers for the accused persons moved an application for bail for their clients. The Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame did not oppose the application but urged the court to admit the former Deputy Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson to a self cognizance bail because he is a public officer, while the two others who are businessmen admitted to bail sums that will compel them to stand trial. The Court presided over by Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, after listening to the parties admitted the accused persons to bail. A member of the NDC Felix Ofosu Kwakye who spoke after proceedings said it is a deliberate attempt by the Government to coerce the Minority to pass the controversial E-Levy Bill.
Dr. Forson was admitted to a ₵ three million cedis self-cognisance bail. The second accused person was admitted to bail in the sum of ₵1,000,000 million with three sureties and one being a public servant not below the rank of a Director.
The third accused person was also granted bail in the sum of ₵5million cedis with three sureties one of which the Court said should be justified with documents of landed property. The accused persons have been ordered to deposit their passports with the registrar of the court by 2 pm on Wednesday, January 19.
The case has been adjourned to February 15, 2022.
