ATTORNEY GENERAL and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has strongly defended his decision to terminate prosecutions in several high-profile cases, including those involving former government officials.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra, Dr. Ayine cited ethical concerns, defective charges and weak evidence as the main reasons for his actions.
He emphasized that his prosecutorial discretion is guided by the Constitution and professional ethics, stating that he could not, in good conscience, pursue cases that lacked merit. Notably, he revealed his personal involvement as a defense lawyer in some of the cases, including Republic v. Ato Forson and Republic v. Ofosu Ampofo, making it unethical for him to continue prosecuting them.
Dr. Ayine also raised concerns about judicial conduct and executive interference, pointing to questionable rulings and the promotion of judges handling politically sensitive cases. He argued that such actions created a perception of bias and unfairness in the judiciary, which could undermine public confidence in the legal system.
While acknowledging that the decision to drop charges might be controversial, Dr. Ayine insisted that it was not politically motivated and assured Ghanaians that justice remained his primary goal.
Source: Nationaltyme.com
