Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has outlined the rationale behind the state’s decision to discontinue the high-profile criminal case against former Finance Minister Dr. Kwabena Duffuor and seven others in which involved the collapse of uniBank Ghana Limited and an alleged financial loss of GH¢5.7 billion to the state.
Addressing the press on Monday, July 28, 2025, Dr. Ayine explained that the withdrawal of the case was based on a structured GH¢2 billion repayment agreement proposed by the accused, intended to settle their revised obligations totalling GH¢3.3 billion.
He said the legal complexities involved, coupled with a renewed focus on asset recovery, informed the decision to enter a nolle prosequi — effectively ending the criminal prosecution.
According to him, in March this year, the legal team representing the directors and shareholders of uniBank approached his office with a proposal to settle their clients’ outstanding debts to the defunct bank.
In response, Dr. Ayine said he convened a meeting on March 25, 2025, with the legal representatives and the Receiver of uniBank, Nii Amanor Dodoo.
“At the meeting, it became obvious to both parties that a reconciliation of uniBank’s accounts with the Bank of Ghana should be done. Therefore, I authorised the Receiver to engage in a reconciliation exercise with them to determine the full scope of uniBank’s exposure,” he stated.
Dr. Ayine further clarified that Dr. Kwabena Duffuor and the other accused persons were not charged with stealing or looting public funds.
He explained that the charges included causing financial loss to the state, fraudulent breach of trust, falsification of accounts, dishonesty, receiving, and money laundering.
He added that the facts and evidence supporting these charges never alleged that those standing trial personally benefited from the banking transactions that led to the charges.
Minority condemns decision
Meanwhile, the Minority in Parliament has strongly criticised the Attorney General over the decision to file a nolle prosequi in the high-profile case.
The Minority caucus described the move as a shocking abuse of prosecutorial discretion and a dangerous precedent that risks undermining public confidence in the justice system.
Speaking at a press briefing in Parliament on Monday, July 28, 2025, MP for Asante-Akim Central, Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, questioned both the legal and ethical basis for the Attorney General’s decision to drop the case, which included serious allegations of fraudulent breach of trust, money laundering, and the loss of GH¢5.7 billion in depositors’ funds.
Read the full document below:
AG gives reasons why he dropped case against Duffuor by emma tony on Scribd