Minority Leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has vehemently denied claims published on the front page of the Thursday, 5th October 2023 edition of the Daily Guide.
The publication headlined, ‘Ato Forson begs for settlement: In €2.37m case’, claimed that the Minority leader had applied for a plea bargain or out-of-court settlement.
He described the headline and the news article as entirely false and without factual basis
Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, a former Deputy Finance Minister in the erstwhile NDC administration and MP for Ajumako Enyan-Essiam, Mr. Sylvester Anemana, a former Chief Director at the Health Ministry, and Mr. Richard Jakpa, a businessman, are accused of wilfully causing financial loss to the State, contravening the Procurement Act, and misapplying public property; for their respective roles in the purchase of some 200 ambulances under the Mahama regime.
In an official statement, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson stated that he has not approached the Court or the Attorney General’s Department for any plea bargain or settlement.
He emphasized that he has consistently maintained his innocence and added, “The record would show that I have opened my defense in the trial and have since called some of my witnesses.”
Addressing the issue of the 3rd Accused person’s readiness to settle the case, Ato Forson’s legal team clarified that they have no objection to the desire of the 3rd Accused to settle the matter without further legal proceedings.
He expressed his belief the false publication was an attempt to divert attention from the #OccupyBOG (Occupy Bank of Ghana) demonstration.
Dr. Ato Forson, however, said he will not be distracted by such misleading claims and reiterated his commitment to serving God and country.