Arguably the most interesting and captivating criminal trial in 2024, the Republic v Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and 2 Others a.k.a the Ambulance case has the making of a famous/memorable trial.
It is not in doubt that the viral soundbites between the Honourable Attorney-General and R. Jakpa, the flurry of motions and applications, the alleged involvement of a Superior Court Justice and the admonition of the trial judge to the AG to recuse himself has fueled public interest in the trial.
Here is a look at the profile of some of the key persons in the ongoing trial.
Bench
Justice Afia Serwaa Asare – Botwe a highly respected Justice was called to the bar in 1998 and has since established a reputation as a fair and firm Justice. In August, 2013, She was appointed as a Justice of the High Court. Justice Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe, before joining the bench, served at the Attorney General’s Department where she rose to the rank of a Principal State Attorney. In December, 2022, Justice Asare-Botwe’s dedication and legal acumen were recognised, with her elevation to the Court of Appeal as a Justice of Appeal.
Known to be industrious and efficient, her judicial footprints span high-profile decisions including but not limited to Abdul Malik Kwaku Baako v Kennedy Agyepong and very recently The Republic v Sedina Ationu Tamakloe (MASLOC case).
The Prosecution Team
The leader of the prosecution and representing the State is the Attorney-General himself, Godfred Yeboah Dame.
Born on 5th June, 1979, he was called to the Ghana Bar in 2003. Mr Dame joined the law firm of Akufo-Addo, Prempeh and Co (arguably one of the most storied law firms in Ghana) practising law until he joined the executive arm as a Deputy Attorney-General. The Supreme Court case of Ransford France v the Attorney General is among the many distinguished cases he prosecuted while in private practice.
In 2021, Godfred Dame assumed the role of Attorney General, and his footprints as Attorney General are seen in precedent shattering cases such us Republic v High Court exparte Dr Stephen Kwabena Opuni and the recent case of Mark Darlington v the Attorney General. He is poised for the trial and not even the admonition from the Presiding Judge to recuse himself would make him budge.
Quite an unassuming Lawyer, Alfred Tuah-Yeboah was appointed as the Deputy Attorney-General in 2021. Prior to his appointment, Mr Tuah-Yeboah enjoyed a rewarding and distinguished legal practice in Sunyani, rising to become the President of the Brong-Ahafo Regional Bar Association in 2015 and, prior to that, its Regional Secretary.
Called to the Bar in 2002, (he was the best Student in Law of Evidence) He has ably deputised for his boss, prosecuting consequential cases such as Republic v Ato Essien and Republic v Aisha Huan.
Defence Team
A successful litigation lawyer in the realm, Mr Thaddeus Sory is well-known for his deep appreciation of the rules of procedure. Mr Sory was called to the Bar in October, 1999.
Prior to becoming the Managing Partner at Sory@Law, Mr Sory had a successful legal practice Managing the law firm, Derry and Co.
His remarkable legal footprints are seen in cases such as the Republic v Gorman, a prelude to Martin Kpebu v Attorney General, the Charlotte Osei impeachment and Exparte Ecobank Ghana Limited among other consequential cases.
Dr. Abdul Basit Aziz Bamba is the lead Counsel for Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minority Leader and first Accused person in this trial. Harvard Educated, Dr. Bamba is also a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana School of Law. He combines teaching and research of the law with legal practice. He has published widely and comes across as a meticulous and formidable litigator. In the famous election petition case in 2012, the venerable academic joined other eminent practitioners in representing the Respondents: National Democratic Congress and former President John D. Mahama.
