A Governance Expert Dr. Fredrick Oduro has described the decision by the Attorney General and Minister for Justice Dr. Dominic Ayine to drop charges against some National Democratic Congress appointees as having political undertones.
This comes after several high-profile cases were discontinued following Dr. Ayine’s swearing-in by President John Dramani Mahama on January 22, 2025. The growing number of case discontinuations, coupled with the types of cases being dropped, has sparked concerns.
Last month, the state dropped charges against former National Chairman of the NDC, Dr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, and former Deputy Communications Officer Kwaku Boahen. The two were facing trial over an alleged leaked audio in which Ofosu Ampofo was heard discussing plans to instigate unrest, with the aim of blaming the NPP.
Former COCOBOD CEO Dr. Stephen Kwabena Opuni and Businessman Seidu Agongo were also acquitted and discharged of all criminal charges in the COCOBOD fertilizer trial which has been running for about 8 years in court. Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and businessman Richard Jakpa’s case in court was also dropped by the AG.
It did not end there as all charges against former Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Johnson Asiama, who has been standing trial in two separate cases for his alleged role in the collapse of UniBank and UT Bank were also dropped. The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, also withdrew all charges against former Works and Housing Minister Collins Dauda and four others involved in the Saglemi Housing Project case. All charges against former SSNIT boss,Dr . Ernest Thompson, and three others were also dropped this week. In addition, the state dropped all charges against Oliver Barker Vormawor and 53 others in the Democracy Hub protest case.
However, speaking to Starr News, Dr. Oduro warned that such developments could hinder the growth of the country’s democracy.
“Nobody can claim that the mere existence of a case against you makes you a criminal, as you haven’t been proven guilty. Of course, we all accept that the Attorney General has the right to discontinue cases if they deem there is insufficient evidence to prosecute. However, when there are numerous such situations, it raises concerns. It suggests that if you belong to a particular political party, as long as your party is not in office, you can be deemed a criminal and put before the court. But if your party is in power, suddenly you are considered innocent. This is troubling for our democracy.”
“There is a reality that corruption exists within our governance system, and it permeates all levels of government. However, when corruption cases are being prosecuted, and then discontinued after a change in government, it fuels the notion that you always need your party in power. Because as long as your party is in power, no matter what you are accused of, you won’t face prosecution,” he added
Source: Ghana/StarrFM103.5FM/Benjamin Sackey
