The Minority in Parliament has expressed their relief and support following the Court of Appeal’s ruling, absolving former Deputy Minister of Finance and Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, in the ongoing ambulances case.
The Court of Appeal’s ruling overturns the previous judgment by the Accra High Court, which had implicated Dr. Forson in alleged financial impropriety related to the purchase of some 200 ambulances for the National Ambulance Service.
In a 2-1 majority decision Tuesday, July 30, 2024, the Court of Appeal held that the prosecution handling the case did not establish a prima facie case for Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, who is a former Deputy Minister of Finance to answer.
Accordingly, the trial judge established that the minority leader had not shown any statute provisions that warrant a mistrial in this case and hence, there was no basis for the trial High Court to call Dr. Forson to open his defence.
Reacting to this new development, the Minority in Parliament praised the decision as a triumph for justice and a vindication of Dr. Forson’s integrity and commitment to public service.
Delivering his submission on the floor of Parliament, Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu said, “Mr Speaker, the minority here is celebrating the independent and courageous decision of the Court of Appeal in acquitting the minority leader”.
He added, “It shows that in the realm of separation of powers, at least one of the arms of government has stood up to a call today that they are independent and courageous and will not be used as forum for the persecution of political opponents”.
