Ambulance Case: Alex Segbefia, 2 Others Ordered To Appear And Testify In Ato Forson’s Trial
An Accra High Court has summoned three persons to appear before it in the case in which former Deputy Minister of Finance Ato Forson and two others have been accused of causing financial loss to the state.
The three are Former Health Minister Alex Segbefia, former Controller and Accountant General Seidu Kotomah, and former Budget Director at the Health Ministry Patrick Nimo.
Ato Forson and two others have been dragged to court over a deal to purchase 200 ambulances for the country between 2014 and 2016.
The two other accused persons are Sylvester Anemana, a former Chief Director at the Ministry of Health and Richard Jakpa, a businessman.
When the case was called on Thursday, June 22, counsel for the Ajumako Enyan Esiam MP, Dr Abdul Basit Bamba, urged the court to summon the witnesses.
Dr Bamba moved the motion under section 58 of the Courts Act 1993 (Act 459).
“Former controller and accountant general. Seidu Kotomah was to testify. Unfortunately, we have not been able to secure the attendance of the witness in court today to testify”.
“Upon realising, we made diligent efforts to get other witnesses to appear in court to testify. Specifically, I approached Alexander Kwasi Mould, who has already filed a witness statement, whether he will be able to attend court today to testify”.
“But he indicated his inability to do so and gave reasons, including not being in the country. I also got A1 (Dr Forson) to talk to other witnesses. And not a positive response has been received,” he stated.
The Court of Appeal judge Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe noted that she had seen a motion for an order to be issued.
Dr Bamba added that it had become a necessary measure to ensure that the court’s planned schedule for the case is not delayed.
Justice Botwe granted the request, pointing out that should the named individuals fail to show up, she would issue a warrant for their arrest.
“I have actually issued a warrant of arrest for a certain COP who failed to show up on the day he was to show up. I am more than happy to issue a witness summons. If they don’t show up, then I issue a warrant of arrest,” She stated.
Mr Segbefia and Mr Nimo are to appear in court on June 29, 2023, while Mr Kotomah is expected to appear on July 3, 2023.