Godfred Dame Rejects Fabrication Allegations in Ambulance Case as Politically Motivated

Former Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has formally denied allegations of evidence fabrication in the high-profile ambulance procurement case involving Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson. Dame appeared before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on Monday to respond to accusations made by Richard Jakpa, the third accused person in the now-discontinued trial.

Dame described the claims as completely unfounded and aimed at obstructing the course of justice. He submitted a 50-point written response to the CID, arguing that the allegations have no legal basis and had already been resolved by the High Court in June 2024.

This case continues to draw national attention, not only due to the stature of those involved but also because of the broader implications for legal transparency and political accountability in Ghana. In a region where public trust in state institutions remains fragile, cases like this serve as a litmus test for the strength of judicial independence and the integrity of governance.

The criminal case titled Republic vs. Cassiel Ato Forson, Dr. Sylvester Anemena, and Richard Jakpa focused on the procurement of 200 ambulances during Dr. Forson’s time as Deputy Finance Minister. The state alleged that the vehicles were not fit for purpose and that the procurement process led to financial losses.

Although the prosecution initially proceeded against all three individuals, the case against Dr. Anemena was dropped due to health reasons. Dr. Forson closed his defence in early 2024, while Jakpa continued representing himself after parting ways with his lawyer.

In May 2025, the Attorney-General’s office withdrew the case under controversial circumstances. Shortly after, Jakpa accused Godfred Dame of attempting to manipulate his testimony and fabricate evidence to incriminate Dr. Forson.

In his submission to the CID, Dame strongly denied any wrongdoing. He explained that none of the evidence presented during the trial, whether by the prosecution or defence, was fabricated by him or altered under his instruction.

“I did not fabricate any evidence led in that criminal trial. I have not been shown any piece of evidence that was allegedly manipulated by me,” Dame stated.

He clarified that under Ghanaian law, fabrication of evidence involves making false entries or causing a document to be forged with the intention of misleading a judge or court. According to him, none of his actions meet that threshold.

Phone Call at the Center of the Dispute

A key element of Jakpa’s accusation is a secret recording of a phone call he allegedly had with Dame on March 26, 2024. Jakpa claimed that Dame tried to persuade him to alter his testimony during this call.

However, Dame insisted that no such call took place on that date. Instead, he confirmed that the only call between them occurred on April 9, 2024. He said the conversation was about seeking an adjournment in court proceedings due to his upcoming arbitration hearing in London.

By that time, Dame noted, the prosecution had already filed all its documents back in February 2022. A prima facie case had also been established by the High Court in March 2023. This timeline, Dame argued, makes Jakpa’s claims implausible.

Dame further alleged that Jakpa and Dr. Forson made personal efforts to persuade him to discontinue the prosecution. He said that in 2023, Dr. Forson visited his home to request that the charges be dropped. He also noted that Jakpa approached him multiple times, including through meetings arranged by Supreme Court Justice Yonny Kulendi.

“The complaint by Richard Jakpa is just sour grapes. He was frustrated that I refused to bend to pressure,” Dame said.

He claimed that Jakpa sent him 68 WhatsApp messages over the course of the trial, to which he only replied twice. Jakpa reportedly admitted this in court.

Dame emphasized that any meetings with Jakpa outside the courtroom occurred only at the residence of Justice Kulendi. He described the judge as a long-time professional associate and said he felt it would be inappropriate to decline an invitation from a sitting member of the Supreme Court.

“There would have been no Dame-Jakpa relationship without Justice Kulendi. I did not consider those meetings to be improper or prejudicial,” Dame clarified.

High Court Already Addressed Allegations

Dame referred to a ruling by the High Court on June 6, 2024, where Justice Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe dismissed similar claims made during trial. The court found no credible evidence that Dame had interfered with Jakpa’s testimony or attempted to coerce him.

According to excerpts from the judgment, the court stated that the recording between Dame and Jakpa did not show any misconduct. It also noted that Dame explicitly told Jakpa, “I am not asking you to help me,” during the call, contradicting claims of coercion.

Dame used this judgment to argue that the CID has no jurisdiction to reopen the matter. He said the issue has already been adjudicated and cannot be relitigated, invoking the legal doctrine of res judicata.

This case is unfolding at a critical moment for Ghana’s justice system. Accusations of political interference and manipulation of legal processes have become more common, and this high-profile incident may either reinforce or undermine public confidence.

While Dame has presented a detailed defense backed by court findings, the CID’s decision to probe further indicates persistent concerns about transparency and accountability in public prosecutions.

The outcome could shape perceptions of the impartiality of state institutions ahead of the 2026 general elections.

Whether the CID proceeds with new charges or drops the investigation, the ambulance case continues to stir debate about political influence in Ghana’s judicial system. The competing narratives reflect deeper issues regarding trust, ethics, and the proper boundaries of prosecutorial discretion.

As Ghana looks to uphold the integrity of its democratic institutions, the nation will be watching closely for how justice is ultimately served in this politically charged matter.

Read more: Former Attorney-General Godfred Dame Reportedly Invited by CID Over Alleged Witness Influence