The Minority Leader in Parliament, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has filed an application requesting Justice Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe to recuse herself from further hearing of the €2.37 million ambulance case against him.
Dr. Forson is accusing Her Ladyship Mrs. Asare-Botwe of bias, hence, the application. He has also applied for the release of his passport.
In the same vein, Richard Jakpa, businessman among the three standing trial in the alleged not fit for purpose ambulances saga, has also appealed to the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, to remove the Judge.
The motions were filed on July 6, and scheduled to be moved yesterday, following Mr. Jakpa being reportedly ill. However, on the adjourned date, July 13, the court held that the applications could not be moved, because of the appeal before the Chief Justice.
Last week, the business of the court was for the prosecution to cross-examine Alex Mould, first defence witness of Ato Forson, first accused (A1), but it was adjourned because Mr. Jakpa (A3), was indisposed.
Mr. Mould further indicated to the court that he would be out of the jurisdiction for three weeks, therefore, the court adjourned sitting for the motion to be moved yesterday.
Mr. Forson is standing trial for his alleged role, as the deputy Minister for Finance in the erstwhile Mahama administration, in the purchase of the controversial not fit for purpose ambulances issue.
Seth Anemana (A2), a former Director at the Ministry of Health, allegedly supervised the procurement contract for the ambulances. Mr. Jakpa was the local business representative of Big Sea, suppliers of the ambulances.
A2 and A3 could not report yesterday due to similar excuses of ill health. The trio have been charged with wilfully causing financial loss to the state, abetment to wilfully cause financial loss to the state, contravention of the Public Procurement Act, and intentionally misapplying public property.
