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The presiding judge hearing the financial malfeasance case in the purchase of some ambulances involving former Deputy Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson and two others has ordered for proceedings to continue via a video link.
The second defendant Dr Sylvester Anemana is currently on admission and has been granted his passport to seek further treatment abroad.
In court on Thursday, February 8, lawyers for Dr Anemana indicated to the court that he had acquired his visa and was due to travel overseas to seek medical attention.
Lead Counsel, Alex Owiredu, told the court that his client had been transferred from Korle Bu Teaching Hospital to a private facility awaiting to travel.
Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe wondered why no documents and medical reports had been filed to notify the court of the new development and ordered the counsel to do so.
She indicated that a warrant had been granted to allow the case to be heard both physically and online using a video link since cross examination of the former Chief Director at the Ministry of Health was not completed.
“The CJ has given me a general warrant to allow for a hybrid hearing. Trial will be done here and via online.
“Now that we have the warrant, so long as he has his faculties, we can set up wherever he is. We only need him to testify for an hour and half. The most important thing is that he joins us online,” Justice Asare-Botwe indicated.
She also ordered for the WhatsApp numbers and email addresses of the second accused and his wife to be filed in order for the video link to be made available for continuation of the proceedings while he is away on his trip.
Together with two others, former Deputy Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has pleaded not guilty to causing financial loss to the state to the tune of €2.37 million due to the purchase of 200 ambulances for the country.
Other charges are; abetment to willfully causing financial loss to the state, contravention of the Public Procurement Act and intentionally misapplying public property.
source:3news.com