"He Has Lost All Credibility": Mahama Calls Godfred Dame A Political Witch-Hunter
- National Democratic Congress flagbearer John Dramani Mahama has rebuked the Attorney-General for his role in the ambulance procurement case
- The presidential candidate accused Godfred Dame of engaging in political witch-hunt instead of using his office impartially and for accountability
- Mahama promised to restore the integrity and credibility of the Office of the Attorney General if voted as president in the December elections
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) 2024 flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, has chided Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame for allegedly persecuting minority leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson.
Mahama accused Dame of serving the political interests of the ruling New Patriotic Party government rather than impartially performing his duties as the state Attorney-General.
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He said the Appeal Court’s decision to acquit and discharge the accused in the ambulance procurement case has severely damaged the AG’s credibility and soiled the image of his office.
Per My Joy Online, Mahama said that if he is elected in the upcoming December 7 elections, he would ensure that the Attorney General’s Office focuses on accountability instead of political witch-hunts.
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He said his ultimate goal for the Attorney General’s Office during his future administration is to restore its integrity and impartiality.
He told TV3 that Dame had been discredited in the pursuit of 'malicious prosecution'.
He added that the Attorney-General is not as robust and energetic when pursuing cases that involve his own party folk, citing Dame’s seeming indifference towards a similar ambulance case involving high-ranking members of the Akufo-Addo administration.
“He is like a legal representative of the NPP party, over-enthusiastic in pursuing political opponents,” he said.
Attorney General's reputation suffers hit
Following the outcome of the Appeal Court ruling and certain events that had transpired during the ambulance procurement trial, Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame's reputation has taken a major hit.
In a conversation with Brand Specialist Seraphine Dogbey, she told YEN.com.gh that to salvage what is left of his credibility and rebuild what has been lost, the Attorney General could simply accept defeat and demonstrate goodwill by accepting the ruling.
"To an extent, this will water down the claims that he was out to get him by all means possible. This official statement should be straight and also admit the mishap (the tape) devoid of excuses self-absorption," she advised.
She also advised that "in the most extreme case, he could resign to save himself and the office the constant vitriol that will follow. Following this case, every prosecution they pursue in the future will come under extreme scrutiny by the public and stakeholders alike.
"Obviously, this is because the tape that was admitted as evidence is now regarded by some people as evidence of his alleged vendetta against Ato Forson."
Appeal Court acquits Ato Forson, Jakpa
Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal has acquitted and discharged minority leader Cassiel Ato Forson in the ongoing ambulance case.
Embattled businessman, Richard Jakpa, has also been acquitted in the case. The Court of Appeal set aside the order for Forson to open his defence in the case.
The Director of Legal Affairs of the National Democratic Congress, Edudzi Tamekloe, told Citi News the appeal was filed after the trial court dismissed their submission of no case in March.
In a 2-1 majority decision, a panel of three said the earlier ruling on the submission was an error.
AG to appeal ambulance case ruling
YEN.com.gh also reported that Attorney-General Dame had announced his decision to appeal the court’s ruling in the ambulance trial involving minority leader, Dr Forson.
He stated that the court’s decision was perverse in the quest for public accountability and the rule of law and had rubbished 'compelling evidence' that the prosecution had showed.
The Attorney General further stated that the Appeal Court’s decision was 'grossly unfair' to the nation and detrimental to the fight against impunity and abuse in public office.
Proofread by Bruce Douglas, senior copy editor at YEN.com.gh
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Source: YEN.com.gh
