Former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has strongly criticized his successor, Dr Dominic Ayine, for discontinuing several high-profile criminal cases involving officials of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). Dame alleges that these case withdrawals are part of a calculated effort to clear NDC officials of wrongdoing.
During a press conference in Accra on Friday, February 14, Dame detailed a pattern of case withdrawals under Dr. Ayine’s tenure. He stated that since assuming office on January 22, 2025, Ayine had discontinued multiple prosecutions within days, leading to the acquittal and discharge of NDC figures.
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Dame outlined specific cases where charges were withdrawn:
- On January 24, 2025, Ayine filed a notice of abandonment of the state’s appeal in Republic vs. Ato Forson & 2 Others.
- On January 28, 2025, he withdrew the case against former COCOBOD CEO Dr. Stephen Kwabena Opuni and two others, leading to their acquittal and discharge.
- On January 29, 2025, he entered a withdrawal in Republic vs. Ofosu-Ampofo & Another, resulting in their acquittal and discharge.
- On January 30, 2025, he withdrew two cases against former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Johnson Asiama, leading to his acquittal in one and discharge in the other.
- The case against former SSNIT boss Dr Ernest Thompson and three others was also dropped, along with that of former Works and Housing Minister Collins Dauda and four others in the Saglemi Housing project.
- Additionally, charges were withdrawn against activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor, legal practitioner Ama Governor, and others.
Dame claimed these actions were part of a “one day, one withdrawal” strategy by the NDC government, halted only by weekends. He accused the Attorney General of prioritizing political interests over justice and failing to consult President John Dramani Mahama before making such significant decisions.
Dr. Ayine has defended his decisions, stating that they were based on professional and evidentiary considerations. He argued that a review of the cases revealed significant weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence. He cited an internal memo from the prosecution division of the Attorney General’s office that reportedly advised Dame to drop the charges against Dr. Johnson Asiama. However, Dame has challenged Ayine to produce this memo, stating that no such document exists to his knowledge.
Ayine also criticized the conduct of some judges handling the cases and described certain charges as defective. He argued that the decisions to discontinue these cases were in line with legal principles and ethical obligations.
The dispute between Dame and Ayine has also extended to allegations of ethical misconduct. Ayine accused Dame of unprofessional conduct in the controversial ambulance procurement case involving current Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson. However, Dame dismissed these allegations as false, noting that Ayine himself is facing disciplinary proceedings at the General Legal Council.
Dame has urged Ghanaians to view these case withdrawals as a deliberate attempt to whitewash corruption cases against former NDC officials. He warned that such actions undermine the country’s legal system and weaken accountability for financial crimes, particularly those related to the banking sector crisis and the loss of public funds.
