Dr Ayine’s action is unprecedented blot on Ghana-Dame

Former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Godfred Yeboah Dame, has condemned the recent decision by current Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine to withdraw multiple criminal cases.
According to him, there is no precedent in the fourth Republic of an Attorney General withdrawing criminal cases against former government appointees as has been done by Dr Dominic Ayine, current Attorney General.
Dr. Ayine defended his decision, citing a lack of common sense in some cases, the conduct of certain judges, defective charges, and professional considerations.
Mr Dame pointed out that, no Attorney-General appointed by either President John Agyekum Kufuor or President Akufo-Addo withdrew criminal charges or filed nolle prosequi in cases involving leading members of the NPP or senior members of the government.
He explained that by the time the NPP assumed power in 2017, all the cases filed by the erstwhile NDC government against some Ministers and appointees of the Kufuor government had been contested fully in the courts and won.
“We secured acquittals through the courts, and not by resorting to delay tactics in the hope that an Akufo-Addo appointed Attorney-General would come and withdraw the cases and procure an acquittal,” he added.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra Mr. Dame described this action as an unprecedented and calculated move in the history of the Fourth Republic—a move that, in his view, undermines the rule of law and sets a dangerous precedent for political accountability.

Series of withdrawals spark outrage
Mr. Dame detailed a series of withdrawals initiated by Dr. Ayine since his swearing-in on January 22, 2025.
By January 24, 2025, Dr. Ayine had abandoned the State’s appeal in the case against Ato Forson and two others.
The withdrawals continued on January 28 and 29, 2025, resulting in the acquittal and discharge of Dr. Stephen Opuni, Ofosu Ampofo, and another accused party.
On January 30, 2025, two separate cases against Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama were withdrawn, again culminating in acquittals.
According to Mr. Dame, these actions indicate a deliberate ploy by the NDC government to clear its leading members and officials from pending criminal charges—not through judicial process, but via direct intervention by the Attorney General.

Political loyalty over accountability?
Critics, led by Mr. Dame, argue that this approach sends a troubling signal: that political loyalty is being placed above accountability and the principles of justice.
“Dr. Ayine’s hurried press conference to justify these withdrawals only exposes a partisan agenda aimed at protecting certain individuals rather than upholding the law,” Mr. Dame said.
He further noted that the entire episode has become a national embarrassment, especially considering the minimal duration of the correspondence between the Office of the Special Prosecutor and Ofori-Atta’s legal team—a period so short that the former minister’s whereabouts were never in serious doubt.

Implications for Ghana’s democratic governance
The ramifications of these case withdrawals extend far beyond individual legal disputes.
Legal experts warn that this pattern of behavior could erode public trust in the justice system and weaken the foundational principles of Ghana’s democratic governance.
By circumventing the judicial process, Dr. Ayine’s actions risk setting a precedent where political considerations override the need for impartial adjudication, thereby compromising the integrity of public office.

A call for public scrutiny and reform
As the controversy deepens, Mr. Dame expressed his confidence that discerning Ghanaians will see through the current administration’s motives.
“Public scrutiny and condemnation of these actions will not fade easily,” he declared, urging for a return to strict adherence to legal and ethical standards.
The debate surrounding these withdrawals serves as a stark reminder that a nation’s commitment to justice must remain steadfast, regardless of political allegiances.
In the wake of these developments, many are calling for an urgent review of the mechanisms that allow for such case withdrawals.
The hope is that reforms will restore confidence in the legal system, ensuring that the scales of justice remain balanced, and that no individual is shielded from accountability by political connections.