By Beatrice Oppon
The Accra High Court has adjourned the trial of Minority Leader in Parliament Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and Businessman Richard Japka to June 4, 2024.
The Court adjourned for time to hear and give reasoned rulings in two separate applications filed by lawyers for Dr. Ato Forson.
When the case was mentioned for hearing, Lawyer for the Minority Leader was expected to continue cross examination of Mr Jakpa. However, the Lawyer, Dr. Abdul Aziz Bamba, informed the Court of two applications pending before the Court.
One is for Stay of Proceedings and the second is for Inquiry.
Lawyers for the Minority Leader are challenging the trial Court’s ruling to cross-examine Mr Jakpa ahead of the prosecution.
Dr Ato Forson, who is also a former Deputy Minister of Finance, is standing trial with Mr Jakpa for allegedly causing financial loss to the tune of 2.37 million euros in the deal to purchase some ambulances for the country between 2014 and 2016.
They have all pleaded not guilty to five counts of abetment to wilfully cause financial loss to the state, wilfully causing financial loss to the state, contravention of the Public Procurement Act and intentionally misapplying public property.