Businessman Richard Jakpa, the third accused in the ongoing ambulance procurement trial, has dismissed claims that he was unfit when the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame allegedly instructed him to secure a fake excuse duty.

According to Mr Jakpa, he was in good health when the Attorney General asked him to obtain a fake excuse duty.

He made this disclosure during cross-examination by the prosecution on Thursday, June 27.

Mr Jakpa admitted that in an earlier statement made before the trial, he indicated to the court that he was indisposed and needed an excuse.

However, when the prosecution referenced a phone conversation with the Attorney General on April 9, 2024, where Mr Jakpa allegedly claimed he was unwell, he refuted this, stating it was untrue.

He explained that the conversation was not captured in the audio recording he presented earlier.

“On that day, I was on my way to my lawyer's office around Workers' College when the AG called. At no point in that recording did I say I was not feeling well. If he has any contrary evidence, he should tender it as I have provided mine,” Mr Jakpa said.

When questioned whether he recorded the entire 26-minute conversation with the Attorney General, Mr Jakpa denied this, stating, “My Lord, it is not true. If the prosecution is claiming that I have the full 26-minute recording, they should tender it in.”

The prosecution accused Mr Jakpa of conveniently deleting parts of the 26-minute audio recording and only presenting portions that would further his cause.

But Mr Jakpa asserted that this was completely false, arguing that the 16-minute recording he provided earlier was very clear.

Additionally, the prosecution told Mr Jakpa that the Attorney General never mentioned being pressured by the President and the Finance Minister to finish the case by May 2024.

In response, Mr Jakpa said, “My Lord, the AG met with me on the night of March 25, 2024, at my cousin's house. He congratulated me on how I performed in the witness box without a lawyer.

"That was when he told me, 'My brother, you have to cooperate.' I asked him why, and he said, 'Ken and the President are on my neck—they want this case done by the first week of May.' And I said that is not my business.”