NDC’s Ato Forson charged for causing financial loss to the state; granted GHC3 million bail
The trial of Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, the former deputy finance minister and the current member of parliament for Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam Constituency in the Central Region has begun in Accra High Court.
During the initial sitting, honorable Ato Forson pleaded not guilty to charges including “willfully causing financial loss to the Republic” and the presiding judge granted him GHC3 million self-recognizance bail.
The Ranking Member on the Finance Committee of Parliament is in court with two other people, Sylvester Anemana, a former Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, and Richard Jakpa, a businessman. They also pleaded not guilty to their respective charges.
In court on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, 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 Hon. Ato Forson to a self recognizance bail as he is a public officer while the two others who are businessmen admitted bailing sums that will compel them to stand trial.
The trial was adjourned to February 15, 2022.
They have been charged five counts in total. These include:
- wilfully causing financial loss to the Republic of Ghana, contrary to Section 179A (3) (a) of the Criminal Offences Act 1960 (Act 29),
- 2. abetment of crime, namely wilfully causing financial loss to the state, contrary to Sections 20 )1) and 179 A (3) (a) of the same Criminal Offences Act 1960,
- contravention of the Public Procumbent Act 2003 (Act 663), contrary to Section 92 (2)(b) of the said act, and
- intentionally misapplying public property, contrary to Section 1 (2) of the Public Property Protection Act 1977 (SMCD 140).
