I Never Fabricated Evidence Against Ato Forson- Dame
Oct 07, 2025
Dame Denies Evidence Fabrication Claims, Calls Jakpa's Complaint 'Sour Grapes'
October 6, 2025
Former Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame has categorically rejected allegations of evidence fabrication leveled against him by businessman Richard Jakpa, now Director of Special Operations at the National Security Secretariat, describing the claims as baseless and motivated by personal resentment.
50-Point Statement to CID
In a comprehensive statement delivered to the Criminal Investigations Department on Monday, Mr. Dame dismissed accusations stemming from the discontinued ambulance case against Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, calling them "a desperate ploy to obstruct justice."
"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," Dame stated emphatically.
Dispute Over Phone Conversation
The former Attorney-General challenged the foundation of Jakpa's complaint, which relies on a secretly recorded telephone conversation. Dame clarified that the conversation occurred on April 9, 2024, not March 26, 2024, as Jakpa alleged.
"I am unable to respond to an allegation based on an alleged conversation on 26 March 2024 since no conversation took place between us on that day," he explained.
Dame maintained that the phone call was merely to discuss adjourning proceedings for that day as he needed to finalize preparations for an international arbitration hearing in London, which Ghana ultimately won.
Timeline and Context
The former AG provided detailed context, noting that by the time of the disputed phone conversation, the prosecution had already filed all documentary evidence as early as February 14, 2022. The High Court had established a prima facie case against the accused persons on March 30, 2023.
At the time of the call, Dr. Ato Forson had closed his case, the second accused's case had been discontinued due to ill health, and only Jakpa remained, testifying in his own defense after dismissing his lawyer.
'Sour Grapes' Motivation
Dame characterized Jakpa's complaint as stemming from personal frustration over the refusal to discontinue his prosecution.
"This complaint by Richard Jakpa is just sour grapes as he felt aggrieved by my refusal to yield to his representations, in those meetings with Justice Kulendi, for me to discontinue his prosecution," Dame asserted.
He revealed that Dr. Ato Forson had personally visited his residence in 2023 to request the prosecution be stopped, a request he refused.
Justice Kulendi's Role
The former Attorney-General confirmed that all encounters with Jakpa occurred either in open court or at the residence of Supreme Court Justice Yonny Kulendi, whom he described as "a respected senior colleague for many years."
"The fact remains that there would have been no 'Dame–Jakpa' without Justice Kulendi," he stated, explaining that he honored invitations from the Supreme Court Justice out of professional respect while maintaining "independence of thought on all issues discussed."
Court Has Already Ruled
Dame emphasized that Jakpa's allegations had already been judicially examined and dismissed by the High Court in a June 6, 2024 ruling by Justice Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe.
Quoting the ruling, he noted: "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 further concluded that "there is no actual evidence that the Attorney-General as the prosecutor has behaved in such an egregious manner that the 1st Accused/Applicant's right to a fair trial is in jeopardy."
Res Judicata Argument
Dame argued that the CID lacks jurisdiction to reinvestigate matters already determined by a competent court, stating: "The instant complaint seeks to relitigate issues already adjudicated upon by the High Court, Accra, in respect of which there is no appeal. The matters in issue have become res judicata."
Limited Interaction
The former Attorney-General detailed his minimal engagement with Jakpa, stating he had never met him outside the courtroom or Justice Kulendi's residence. He noted that Jakpa sent him 68 WhatsApp messages, to which he replied only twice—a fact Jakpa admitted in court.
Legal Definition
Addressing the fabrication allegation directly, Dame explained the legal requirements: "The offence of fabrication of evidence entails causing a circumstance to exist, making a false entry in a book, record, account or forging a document adduced as evidence at the trial, with intent to mislead a judge, juror or public officer acting in a judicial capacity."
He concluded: "No act of mine borders on the doing of anything that will constitute fabrication of evidence. None of the ingredients of the offence have been made out in the charge against me."
The statement comes amid ongoing political tensions surrounding the discontinued ambulance procurement case, which has become a subject of intense public scrutiny and debate.
