The High Court in Accra has admitted an audio recording between Richard Jakpa and Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame into evidence for cross-examination purposes. This development comes after the Attorney General’s office objected to the recording, arguing its irrelevance to the main trial.
After carefully considering arguments from both sides, the presiding judge ruled in favour of admitting the audio recording. The recording, which allegedly features discussions between Jakpa and the Attorney General, will now be used by lawyers representing Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson to cross-examine Jakpa. The case has garnered substantial attention due to its potential legal and ethical ramifications.
The defense argues that the recording is crucial for establishing the context and content of Jakpa’s communications with the Attorney General. They believe it could significantly influence the trial’s outcome. During cross-examination, the defence team, led by Ato Forson’s lawyers, aims to challenge Jakpa’s credibility and the prosecution’s case using the recording.
This development underscores the complexities and high stakes involved in the trial, highlighting the legal maneuvers both sides are employing. The admission of the audio recording could prove pivotal in shaping the court’s understanding of the events and communications under scrutiny.
Earlier in the trial, the court dismissed an application for a mistrial by Dr. Ato Forson and his legal team. The trial judge ruled that the Minority Leader had not demonstrated any statutory provisions that warrant a mistrial or an inquiry into the Attorney General’s affairs.
On June 3rd, Dr. Ato Forson filed a supplementary affidavit in support of his motion for an order of mistrial, an injunction, and/or a stay of proceedings in the ongoing case against him and two others. The affidavit cited a leaked tape between the Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, and the third accused, Richard Jakpa. The defence alleged that the tape depicted the Attorney General attempting to coach Jakpa to implicate Dr. Ato Forson in the trial.
In the affidavit, Dr. Forson’s legal team argued that the Attorney General had misconducted himself and called for the prosecution to be declared a mistrial. “It has become necessary to file this affidavit to bring to the Court’s attention, in the interest of justice, certain pertinent, material, and relevant matters that bear on the fair and just determination of the current application,” the affidavit stated.
“I have had the opportunity to listen to a widely circulated recording in the media depicting the voices of the Attorney General and A3 fervently discussing the evidence the Attorney General wishes A3 to present at the trial. At the hearing of the current application, my counsel will seek leave of the court to have the said audio recording played in open court.”
Dr. Forson further argued that failure to order a mistrial in such circumstances, where there appears to be a blatant disregard for the rule of law and ethical standards of prosecution by the Attorney General, could severely undermine public confidence in the judicial process.
As the trial progresses, the court’s decision to admit the audio recording into evidence marks a significant moment, potentially influencing the direction and outcome of the case.