Former Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has firmly denied allegations of evidence fabrication levelled against him by b
Former Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has firmly denied allegations of evidence fabrication levelled against him by businessman Richard Jakpa, the third accused in the now-discontinued ambulance procurement trial involving former Deputy Finance Minister and current Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
The case, which became one of the most politically charged prosecutions, resurfaced after Jakpa—now serving as Director of Special Operations at the National Security Secretariat—petitioned the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), accusing Dame of manipulating evidence to secure a conviction.
But in a detailed 50-point statement delivered to the CID on Monday, October 6, 2025, Godfred Dame described the complaint as “baseless,” “vindictive,” and “a desperate attempt to obstruct justice.”
Background
The ambulance case, titled Republic vrs. 1. Cassiel Ato Forson, 2. Dr. Sylvester Anemena, 3. Richard Jakpa, began in 2021 and revolved around the procurement of faulty ambulances for the Ministry of Health.
Ato Forson, a former Deputy Finance Minister, was accused of authorizing payments for the vehicles without proper due diligence, resulting in financial loss to the state.
The prosecution, led by then-Attorney-General Dame, argued that the contracts were executed in breach of procurement procedures. Jakpa, who represented the private suppliers, was charged alongside Forson and Dr. Anemena.
However, in 2024, portions of the case crumbled when a secret recording of a phone call between Godfred Dame and Jakpa emerged, suggesting possible interference by the Attorney-General.
The release of the audio, allegedly recorded on March 26, 2024, sparked national outrage and led to calls for Dame’s resignation.
The case was later withdrawn by the Attorney-General’s Office in mid-2024, but the controversy lingered, culminating in Jakpa’s fresh petition to the CID.
Dame’s Response: “No Evidence Was Fabricated”
In his statement, Dame strongly rejected Richard Jakpa’s claims, saying, “I did not fabricate any evidence led in that criminal trial. I have not been shown any piece of evidence adduced in the matter, either by the prosecution or the defence, which is alleged to be fabricated by me.”
He emphasized that the legal definition of “fabrication of evidence” involves falsifying or forging documents to mislead a judge or jury—an act he insists he never committed.
“No act of mine borders on anything that could constitute fabrication,” he said.
Godfred Dame further clarified that the alleged “evidence” being referenced by Jakpa—the phone conversation—was recorded not on March 26, as claimed, but on April 9, 2024. “There was no conversation on March 26. I cannot respond to an allegation based on a day when no call took place,” he stated.
Context of the Phone Call
According to Dame, by the time the phone conversation occurred, the prosecution had already submitted all documentary evidence to the defence, as far back as February 14, 2022.
A High Court ruling on March 30, 2023, had even confirmed a prima facie case against the accused persons.
“At that point, Dr. Ato Forson had closed his case, the second accused’s case was discontinued due to ill health, and only Jakpa was testifying—without a lawyer,” Godfred Dame explained.
He said his call to Richard Jakpa was simply to discuss an adjournment request because he was preparing for an international arbitration in London. “I will produce evidence of this as well.
During the discussion, Richard Jakpa revived old disagreements over the contract and the letters of credit used to pay for the unfit ambulances,” he added.
Alleged Motive: “Sour Grapes And Resentment”
Godfred Dame described Jakpa’s complaint as a product of “sour grapes,” claiming that the businessman was bitter because Godfred Dame refused to discontinue the prosecution despite several pleas.
“This complaint stems from resentment. Jakpa felt aggrieved that I refused to yield to his requests, including representations made through Justice Yonny Kulendi, to drop the case,” Godfred Dame alleged.
He also revealed that Ato Forson personally visited him in 2023, urging him to stop the trial, but he refused. “I insisted that the law must take its course,” he said.
Justice Kulendi’s Involvement
Godfred Fame confirmed meeting Jakpa only in two settings: open court and the home of Supreme Court Justice Yonny Kulendi.
He described Justice Kulendi as “a respected senior colleague” and clarified that the judge facilitated their encounters out of goodwill, not conspiracy.
“The fact remains that there would have been no ‘Dame–Jakpa’ relationship without Justice Kulendi,” he noted, explaining that he saw no ethical risk in honouring the judge’s invitations.
“I maintained independence of thought on all issues discussed at Justice Kulendi’s house,” he stressed.
High Court Already Ruled On the Allegations
The former Attorney-General reminded investigators that the same issues raised by Jakpa were already adjudicated by the High Court, Accra, in a June 6, 2024 ruling delivered by Justice Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe.
Quoting the judgment, Dame highlighted: “After listening to the conversation between A3 and A1, the issue of whether the Attorney-General actually told A3 to implicate A1 is not borne out by the evidence.”
The court, he said, found no proof that his conduct jeopardized the accused persons’ right to a fair trial.
“The CID lacks jurisdiction to reopen issues already settled by a court of competent jurisdiction,” Dame added, describing the matter as res judicata.
Limited Contact with Jakpa
Godfred Dame disclosed that his first interaction with Jakpa occurred in January 2022 when Justice Kulendi interceded on the accused’s behalf for temporary release pending bail verification.
He said Richard Jakpa later obtained his contact number from the judge and sent 68 WhatsApp messages, to which he replied only twice—a fact, Dame noted, that Jakpa himself admitted in court.
“I have never met Mr. Jakpa anywhere apart from inside the courtroom and Justice Kulendi’s residence,” he maintained, stressing that the new complaint “springs only from the fertile imagination of Richard Jakpa.”
COMMENTS