The Minority caucus has strongly criticized Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, over his recent media engagements regarding accountability of past government officials.
Dr. Ayine, in a series of public statements, updated Ghanaians on the Office of the Revenue Assurance and Legal (ORAL) indictments involving some appointees of the former Akufo-Addo administration.
However, the Minority claims that the AG’s approach amounts to a media trial, prejudicing the legal process and infringing on the constitutional rights of the individuals involved.
John Darko, legal spokesperson for the Minority caucus, argued that Dr. Ayine’s actions effectively declare former officials guilty before any court proceedings. “The way these cases are being handled publicly is nothing short of character assassination,” he said.
According to Mr. Darko, the Minority is not opposed to holding public officers accountable but stresses that such accountability must follow due process. “We are for accountability, but it must respect the rule of law, not public spectacle,” he added.
The former government officials implicated in Dr. Ayine’s statements include Gifty Oware, Bernard Antwi Bosiako, and Kwabena Adu-Boahene. Mr. Darko warned, “The seeming press prosecution prejudices all legal actions the state may undertake against these individuals.”
He further emphasized, “What we are seeing is a situation where officials are being declared guilty before they even appear in court. This is a dangerous precedent.”
The Minority’s criticism also highlights the potential political implications of the AG’s statements, with Mr. Darko saying, “Accountability should not be used as a tool for political point-scoring. The rights of former public officers must be protected.”
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Dr. Ayine’s office has not yet responded to the Minority’s concerns, but sources indicate that the AG believes public updates are necessary to maintain transparency in government accountability.
Legal experts have cautioned that public disclosure of investigations before court trials could contravene constitutional protections. “The presumption of innocence is a fundamental right. Media trials risk undermining this principle,” noted one constitutional lawyer.
The Minority caucus is now calling on Parliament and relevant oversight bodies to ensure that due process is respected. Mr. Darko stressed, “We urge Parliament to take steps to prevent media trials from overriding legal procedures.”
Meanwhile, discussions on the floor of Parliament continue to underscore the tension between transparency and constitutional rights, as both the government and opposition navigate sensitive accountability issues. “It is critical that justice is done, and seen to be done, within the confines of the law,” Mr. Darko concluded.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
