The trial of former Deputy Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, for causing financial loss to the state, continues as the judge has asked the accused to show proof of authorisation from the then Finance Minister, Seth Terkper.
The authorisation according to Ato Forson was to request the Bank of Ghana to set up Letters of Credit (LCs) in favour of Big Sea Trading Limited.
Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botchwey has ruled that the prosecution has met the threshold of establishing a prima facie case against Dr Forson, and the accused must open his defence on two counts of causing financial loss to the state over the issuance of an LC in favour of Big Sea for the importation of some ambulances.
The judge has stated that the ruling is only preliminary, and the court is yet to make a determination of facts. In the case, Dr Forson had claimed to have authorisation from Seth Terkper, but the judge noted that he had not offered conclusive evidence to back it.
She explained that in criminal cases, it was the duty of the person making a positive averment to show proof thereof and not the party making a negative averment.
This ruling appears to pave the way for Seth Terkper to be called as a witness for Dr Forson if the defence wishes. The defence has until April 11, 2023, to file witness statements and indicate who those witnesses are.