The court case involving Richard Jakpa, a businessman, took an interesting turn today. Air Commodore Nana Adu Gyamfi, the Military Secretary at the Ghana Armed Forces, was present in court to testify as the first defense witness.
Mr. Jakpa had subpoenaed Air Commodore Adu Gyamfi, along with the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Thomas Oppong-Peprah. This was after documents related to Mr. Jakpa’s release from the military were tendered as evidence by the prosecution.
According to Air Commodore Adu Gyamfi, Mr. Jakpa was not released from the military honorably. He stated that available records show that Mr. Jakpa was released due to alleged fraudulent activities and inefficiency.
The witness revealed that prior to his release, Mr. Jakpa was taken through formal and informal interviews, but did not yield any results. He also mentioned that documents tendered in evidence by the prosecution indicate that Mr. Jakpa was indebted to the Service Pay office and a Lebanese individual.
The exhibits also stated that Mr. Jakpa refused to deliver items, including money, given to him by some Ghanaians living in Beirut until he was instructed to do so. Furthermore, the document listed acts of indiscipline and unprofessional behavior by the accused person.
After the witness was discharged, the court set timelines for case completion. The court set November 15, 2024, as the tentative date for judgment. The hearing will continue next Tuesday, July 23, 2024, where former Minister of Health, Dr. Alex Segbefia, will appear in court to testify.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Oppong-Peprah, and a former Deputy Controller and Accountant General, Andrews Kufe, will mount the witness box on July 25, 2024. This will be followed by the Director of Ghana Ambulance Service and Julia Asante of Stanbic Bank on July 30, 2024.
The Speaker of Parliament is expected in court on October 8, 2024, along with the former CEO of the Public Procurement Authority, Silas Mensah. Mr. Jakpa and Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson are standing trial for causing financial loss to the state in the purchase of some ambulances.
