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Richard Jakpa, a businessman on trial in the €2.37 million defective ambulance scandal, has admitted that his company received approximately €700,000 from the government’s payment to Big Sea under the contract.
During cross-examination by Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame, Jakpa confirmed that he received a commission of 28.7 percent of the total amount paid to Big Sea, though he was uncertain of the exact figures. This commission was stipulated in his agency agreement with Big Sea, the supplier of the ambulances.
The Attorney General pointed out that, under the agency agreement, Jakpa At Business Limited was entitled to a 10% commission on all payments made under the ambulance contract. Jakpa, however, contended that this 10% was just one part of his overall entitlements and that additional fees and remunerations were due under other clauses of the agreement.
Jakpa also defended himself by asserting that he did not cause any financial loss to the state. He claimed that the government had breached certain clauses of the agency agreement, specifically citing a violation of Clause 5.1. According to Jakpa, the government’s decision to establish the letter of credit (LC) directly with Big Sea, rather than through Jakpa At Business, absolves his company of any responsibility for the financial loss incurred by the state.
Jakpa maintained that the payments made to Jakpa At Business Limited were in accordance with valid court orders and that the government’s actions led to the breach of the agency agreement.