The lead consultant for the Robert Smith Law Group, Bobby Banson has expressed confidence that the presiding judge in the ongoing ambulance trial, Her Ladyship Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, will not be influenced by public discourse.
Acknowledging public opinion’s impact, Mr Banson believes this case will be handled differently.
READ ALSO: Ambulance Trial: A-G Fights Jakpa’s Application To Dismiss Charges
“Anybody who has dealt with Justice Afia will know that she’s one that will be described as a very hard woman, who will not be swayed by public opinion or public perception. I think she’s one of the judges who will deal strictly with the law, facts and the evidence that are available to her.
“I do not think that she will be swayed by public opinion on this and looking at her pronouncements, she said that listen, don’t play with the minds of the court. I’m not going to be influenced by the public about what you do in the public.
“I don’t think she will have doubts at all as to what her jurisdiction is, her role is, to dispense justice not according to public sentiments or emotions.
“I will not discount that impact of the public perceptions, sometimes I would want to think the Attorney General may have been a victim of his benevolence, and it’s something we all have to take lessons from,” he said.
In a dramatic twist, the third defendant in the ambulance trial, Richard Jakpa testified under oath in his witness statement that the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has had several conversations with him during which Mr Dame assured him of his innocence and guaranteed his acquittal.
Mr Jakpa alleges that the Attorney-General confided in him that his inclusion in the prosecution was a disguise to obscure the trial’s true objectives.
He asserted that Mr Dame initiated the action due to pressure from President Akufo-Addo and former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to persecute Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, who was deputy finance minister at the time and is now the Minority Leader.
This has since generated conversations among Ghanaians with some persons calling for the resignation of the Attorney General, Godfred Dame.