The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has expressed shock and concern over Attorney General Godfred Dame’s strong reaction to the Appeals Court’s verdict in the contentious ambulance case. In a scathing critique, Dame labeled the court’s judgment as ‘perverse’, ‘grossly unfair’, and ‘erroneous’, sparking a stern response from the GBA.
On Tuesday, July 30 the Appeals court delivered a verdict of not guilty, acquitting and discharging Richard Jakpa, the third accused in the ambulance procurement trial, and Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minority Leader, of the charges alleging they caused financial loss to the State.
According to Saviour Kudze, Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), the Justice Minister’s language was unjustified and unwarranted.
Kudze emphasized that as the leader of the Bar, the Attorney General should maintain a higher standard of decorum, saying ‘We shouldn’t expect him to use such words’.
The third accused in the ambulance procurement trial, Richard Jakpa and Minority Leader, Cassiel Ato Forson, were on Tuesday acquitted and discharged of the charges of causing financial loss to the State.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Top Story, the Public Relations Officer of the GBA indicated that the Justice Minister’s choice of words was unwarranted.
Saviour Kudze asked that “assuming the decisions were made in his favour, would he be using such words?”
According to him, “He [Attorney General] is the leader of the Bar. We shouldn’t expect him to be using such words.”
“You could say you disagree with the verdict of the court and you will take steps. I think that is what everybody does.”
Associate professor at the University of Ghana School of Law, Kwadwo Appiagyei Atua agreed with the GBA spokesperson’s position.
“As the leader of the Bar, he went a little bit too far. The use of words like perverse… I am also of the view that it was unnecessary,” he told Evans Mensah.
