Petitioner drags Dame to GLC over misconduct in leaked tape with Jakpa

A private citizen has petitioned the General Legal Council (GLC) to sanction former Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame over what he describes as professional misconduct in the now-concluded ambulance procurement trial involving Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and businessman Richard Jakpa.

According to the petitioner, Daniel Kwame Ofosu-Appiah, a leaked audio recording between Mr Dame and the then third accused, Richard Jakpa, admitted into evidence by an Accra High Court, confirms that the former Attorney-General attempted to influence Mr Jakpa’s testimony in a manner that breaches legal ethics and compromises the justice process.

The audio in question, according ro the petition sighted by ModernGhana News, was accepted by the High Court on June 13, 2024, and further upheld by the Court of Appeal.

Mr Jakpa also testified under oath that he had met Dame on four occasions at a private residence and that they exchanged WhatsApp messages — some of which included requests for documents.

These exchanges reportedly occurred without the knowledge of Mr Jakpa’s lawyer and while the trial was still pending.

Citing the Legal Profession (Professional Conduct and Etiquette) Rules, 2020 (L.I. 2423), the complainant said Mr Dame violated seven key rules, including dishonesty, misrepresentation, and improper communication with a represented party.

Others include attempts to improperly influence a witness, compromising justice, and conduct likely to discredit the legal profession.

“This conduct…raises grave concerns about professional ethics, prosecutorial propriety, and the independence of the judicial process,” the petition stated, adding that Dame’s “actions have undermined public confidence in the legal profession and the justice system.”

Ofosu-Appiah has asked the Disciplinary Committee to take disciplinary action, including suspension or removal from the roll of lawyers, as provided under Section 16 of the Legal Profession Act, 1960 (Act 32).

“I respectfully urge the Committee to consider this matter with the utmost seriousness and in accordance with the law and ethical standards,” he stressed.