Former Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has called on Ghanaians to pay close attention to the actions of the current Attorney General, Dr. Dominic Ayine, particularly his handling of high-profile criminal cases.
Speaking at a press briefing, Mr. Dame questioned the motives behind the mass withdrawal of cases involving officials of the previous National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.
He warned that these decisions could erode public trust in the justice system and set a dangerous precedent for future administrations.
“The people of Ghana should be very concerned and afraid if we have an Attorney General whose primary consideration for discontinuing criminal cases is the position of defense lawyers rather than the interest of the Republic,” Mr. Dame cautioned.
He criticized Dr. Ayine for failing to provide clear legal justifications for dropping cases that involved significant financial losses to the state.
Among the cases withdrawn within the first month of the new government were:
– The appeal in Republic vs. Ato Forson & Others, abandoned on January 24, 2025.
– The withdrawal of charges against Dr. Stephen Opuni and two others on January 28, 2025.
– The dismissal of Republic vs. Lambo & Another on January 29, 2025.
– The discontinuation of two cases against Johnson Pandit on January 30, 2025.
Mr. Dame argued that there was no legal basis for these withdrawals, pointing out that Dr. Ayine had failed to consult the prosecution division or the Director of Public Prosecutions before taking action.
He further alleged that the NDC government had a premeditated plan to clear its appointees of wrongdoing, stating, “The pattern of these withdrawals suggests a calculated attempt to shield officials of the previous administration from accountability.”
In response to allegations that he acted unethically in the prosecution of the Republic vs. Ato Forson case, Mr. Dame dismissed the claims as baseless, citing a court ruling that found no misconduct on his part.
He urged Ghanaians to remain vigilant and demand accountability from the Attorney General’s office.
“The public must not look away. These actions have long-term consequences for our justice system, and we must hold those in power accountable,” he emphasized.
Dr. Ayine has yet to respond to these allegations, but sources indicate that an official statement may be issued in the coming days.
Ghana l Atinkaonline.com l Ebenezer Madugu
