RICHARD JAKPA WAS A BAD EXAMPLE IN THE MILITARY – CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF

A major bone of contention among the parties in the case bordered on Mr Richard Jakpa’s release document from the Ghana Armed Forces where he once served as an officer. The release document tendered into evidence by the Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, indicated that Mr Japka was dishonourably released from the military as a result of gross indiscipline and misconduct.

Mr Jakpa however contended when giving evidence, that, he was not released from the military on grounds of misconduct but he was released honourably. On whether Mr. Jakpa was released honourably or dishonourably from the military, Godfred Yeboah Dame, the Attorney General, posed several questions to the Chief of Defence Staff to bring clarity to the claims of Mr Richard Jakpa and his lawyers.

“As per the documents on record I would say he [Jakpa] was not honourably released”, the CDS told the court in an answer to a question posed by the Attorney General, Hon. Godfred Dame. He also told the court that Jakpa was not placed on the retired list, and is therefore not permitted to use his rank in civil life, thus, confirming that he [Jakpa] was, indeed, not released from the military honorably.

Lieutenant General Thomas Oppong-Peprah added that a Special Report on Jakpa which was commissioned by the Military High Command revealed damning details about Jakpa’s gross indiscipline, abrasiveness and fraudulent conducts.

In a related development, the CDS told the court in an answer to the Attorney General’s question that, the Minister of Defence did no wrong for releasing Jakpa’s military records. He also confirmed that the statement by the Minister for Defence that Jakpa had failed his examinations on seven consecutive attempts had already been captured in a report by Jakpa’s superiors in the Military on Jakpa dated October, 2007.

Lieutenant General Thomas Oppong-Peprah again confirmed in answer to questions by the Attorney-General, that, Mr. Jakpa had been tried summarily by an Appropriate Superior Authority (ASA) and was severely reprimanded before he was released from the Armed Forces.

It should be noted that the Chief of Defence Staff (Lieutenant General Thomas Oppong-Peprah), was subpoenaed by Jakpa and his lawyers to give testimony in support of their case. It however appears that the testimony of Military Chief has some more harm than good to their case.

Following the conclusion of cross-examination of the CDS by the Attorney General, Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe adjourned the sitting to Tuesday, 30 July 2024, for Mr Richard Jakpa to call his next witness.