Ghana’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has broken his silence on the controversy surrounding the discontinuation of high-profile cases.
In a press briefing yesterday, February 12, Dr. Ayine addressed the allegations head-on, asserting his independence and refuting claims of presidential interference.
At the center of the storm are several cases, including the Saglemi Housing Project and the COCOBOD case, which were dropped by Dr. Ayine’s office.
Critics have accused President John Mahama of exerting pressure on Dr. Ayine to discontinue these cases, but the Attorney General has vehemently denied these allegations.
“As Attorney General, I take full responsibility for all the decisions so far taken,” Dr. Ayine stated. “I am not under any instruction or pressure to discontinue any case or to bring charges against anyone.”
He emphasized that prosecutorial decisions are based solely on legal merit, not political considerations.
Dr. Ayine also pushed back against accusations that President Mahama had acted as a “clearing agent” in the process.
“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 said.
By defending his decisions and asserting his independence, Dr. Ayine aims to quell the controversy and reassure the public of his commitment to upholding the rule of law.