Ato Forson pleads not guilty; granted GH¢3m bail

A former Deputy Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, who is facing charges including “willfully causing financial loss to the Republic” with two others has pleaded not guilty.

Dr Forson also pleaded not guilty to the charge of Intentionally misapplying public property.

The two others who were arraigned together with him, Sylvester Anemana, a former Chief Director of the Ministry of Health and Richard Jakpa, local representative of Big Sea General Trading Limited have also pleaded not guilty.

In court on Tuesday, the Attorney General (AG) Godfred Yeboah Dame who was in court together with his two deputies – Alfred Tuah-Yeboah and Diana Asonaba Dapaah and two State Attorneys did not oppose the grant of bail.

Except to urge the court to admit Dr Forson to a self recognisance bail because he is a public officer while the two others who are businessman men admitted bailing sums that will compel them to stand trial.

By Court

The court presided over by Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe after listening to the parties admitted the accused persons to bail.

For Dr Forson (A1), he was admitted to a GHc3m self-recognisance bail.

The second accused person was admitted to bail in the sum of GHc1m with three sureties and one is a public servant not below the rank of a director.

The third accused person was also granted bail in the sum of GHc5M with three sureties one of the sureties the court said should be justified with documents of landed property.

Court Correspondent Murtala Inusah reports that the accused persons have been ordered to deposit their passports to the registrar of the court by 2 pm tomorrow.

The Prosecution has been directed to file and serve accused persons and their lawyers with disclosures.

The case has been adjourned to February 15, 2022.

Charges

On December 23, last year, the state through the Director of Public Prosecution Mrz Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa filed the charges against the three persons.

The three have been charged with a total of five counts namely ‘wilfully causing financial loss to the Republic contrary to section 179A (3) (a) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29, Abetment of crime namely, ‘Wilfully causing financial loss to the Republic contrary to section 20(1) and 179 A(3)(a) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29),’ ‘Contravention of the Public Procumbent Act, 2003, contrary to section 92 (2) (b) of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663),’ and ‘Intentionally misapplying public property contrary to section 1 (2) of the Public Property Protection Act, 1977 (SMCD 140)’.

Source: Starrfm.com.gh