Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has refuted claims that President John Mahama is responsible for the discontinuation of criminal cases involving key figures from the previous administration. Dr. Ayine has come under scrutiny following his decision to drop cases against officials and associates of the Mahama government, including the Saglemi Housing Project, charges against current Bank of Ghana Governor Johnson Asiama, the Democracy Hub case, and the prosecution of Stephen Opuni in the COCOBOD case.
Critics have alleged that President Mahama influenced the Attorney General’s decision to withdraw these cases, but Dr. Ayine has firmly dismissed such claims. Addressing the press on Wednesday, February 12, he stated that all prosecutorial decisions were made independently by his office, without any political interference. He emphasized that he alone takes responsibility for the legal actions taken by his ministry and rejected any suggestion that the President played a role in the discontinuation of cases.
“As Attorney General, I take full responsibility for all the decisions so far taken. I am not under any instruction or pressure to discontinue any case or to bring charges against anyone,” Dr. Ayine asserted. He further addressed concerns about Mahama’s alleged influence on the legal process, making it clear that the President has no hand in prosecutorial matters.
“Those who are in a haste to tag the President of the Republic, John Mahama, as a clearing agent should hasten slowly because he is not responsible for prosecutions and has not directed me to drop any case,” he added.
The Attorney General also reiterated that all legal actions taken by his office were based on legal merit rather than political considerations. He stressed that the independence of the Attorney General’s office remains intact and that decisions are made purely on the basis of law and evidence.
His response comes amid heightened political debate over the discontinuation of cases, with opposition figures questioning the motives behind these legal decisions. The cases in question have been among the most high-profile in recent years, particularly the Saglemi Housing Project, which involved allegations of financial mismanagement in a government housing scheme. The charges against Johnson Asiama, a former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, were also seen as significant, as they were linked to regulatory decisions made under the Mahama administration.
The prosecution of Stephen Opuni, the former Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD, had similarly been a contentious issue, with accusations of procurement breaches and financial irregularities. The case, which had been in court for years, was seen by some as a test of accountability in public office. The Attorney General’s decision to drop these cases, therefore, sparked reactions from various political quarters, with critics accusing the government of shielding allies.
However, Dr. Ayine maintained that his decisions were guided solely by the strength of the cases presented before his office. He explained that the role of the Attorney General is to ensure justice, not to pursue political vendettas, and that cases without sufficient evidence should not be pursued simply to satisfy public sentiment. He further emphasized that withdrawing charges does not equate to exoneration and that legal processes remain available should new evidence emerge in any of the discontinued cases.
Political observers have noted that prosecutorial decisions in Ghana have long been a subject of controversy, with successive administrations facing allegations of bias in handling corruption cases. Some analysts argue that the legal system must be strengthened to ensure full transparency and accountability in high-profile prosecutions, while others contend that the focus should be on institutional reforms rather than political blame games.
Despite the Attorney General’s explanations, critics remain divided on the issue. While some believe that his office acted within its legal mandate, others insist that the discontinuation of cases raises concerns about selective justice. The opposition has called for greater scrutiny of prosecutorial decisions and urged the Attorney General to publish detailed justifications for each discontinued case.
As the debate continues, legal experts have weighed in on the broader implications of case discontinuations in Ghana’s legal system. Some have argued that the government must establish clearer guidelines on prosecutorial discretion to ensure public confidence in the justice system. Others have suggested that independent oversight mechanisms should be strengthened to prevent any perception of political influence in legal matters.
Dr. Ayine, however, remains firm in his stance that the decisions taken by his office were based purely on legal considerations and not on political directives. He called on the public to trust in the judicial process and refrain from making unfounded accusations against the President. His remarks were intended to put an end to speculations about political interference, but whether they will succeed in calming public concerns remains to be seen.
The controversy highlights a broader issue of governance and judicial independence in Ghana. As the nation prepares for future elections, legal accountability and the handling of corruption-related cases are expected to remain key issues in political discourse. The Attorney General’s assurance of impartiality will be closely watched, especially as the government continues to navigate legal and political challenges in the coming months.
