Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, Ghana’s Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, has announced that preparations are underway for criminal charges to be filed in several high-profile corruption cases under the government’s anti-corruption initiative dubbed Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL).
Dr. Ayine revealed that investigations into multiple financial scandals involving state resources have reached advanced stages, with legal processes expected to begin in the coming weeks.
“In respect of the ORAL Cases, including the mathematical sets, the All-Africa Games, and the DRIP scandals, a report is being prepared by the National Investigation Bureau (NIB) for my attention. I expect to receive that investigative report in a few weeks for work to begin on filing charges in court”.
Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, Ghana’s Attorney-General and Minister for Justice
One of the more politically sensitive cases involves Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
According to the Attorney-General, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has concluded its investigations into allegations against Wontumi and his associates.
Similarly, EOCO has completed its probe into the former Chief Executive Officer of the National Buffer Stock Company, Abdul Wahab Hanan, and his accomplices.
“The results of both investigations will be announced very soon,” Dr. Ayine stated, without elaborating on the specifics of the allegations or the likely charges.
Turning attention to the controversial Akonta Mining case, Dr. Ayine confirmed that the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has completed its work on the matter and submitted a docket to his office.
“We have prepared charges and sent them back to the police CID for the suspects to be formally charged before their arraignment in court in the coming days,” he said, indicating imminent legal proceedings against individuals associated with the mining company.
Progress on Ongoing Trials
In addition to the expected prosecutions, Dr. Ayine provided an update on ongoing high-profile corruption trials currently before the courts.
Among them is the case of The Republic versus Kwabena Adu Boahen and three others. Adu Boahen, a former Director General of the National Signal Bureau, was implicated in corruption-related matters and is currently standing trial.
“In this case, we are calling only three prosecution witnesses. Our first witness has concluded his testimony,” the Attorney-General explained. However, proceedings were disrupted following a sudden decision by the third accused person to withdraw their lawyer’s representation.
“But for the third accused person’s sudden withdrawal from the open court of a lawyer’s service, our first witness would have been discharged to give way to the second prosecution witness to start testifying.”
Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, Ghana’s Attorney-General and Minister for Justice
He added that the second witness is expected to begin testimony before the start of the legal vacation on July 31, 2025.
Also progressing through the courts is the SkyTrain case, officially titled The Republic versus Solomon Asamoah and another. This case, which centres around the failed Ghana SkyTrain project, involves multiple accused persons, including Professor Ameyaw Ekumfi, a former Board Chair of GIIF and the former CEO, Solomon Asamoah.
According to the Attorney-General, “We have concluded the case management conference,” a procedural step required before the commencement of trial. But he noted that progress in the SkyTrain case has been hampered by a series of delays.
“But for the change of solicitors and the multiple medical excuses of the second accused person, that is Professor Ameyaw Ekumfi, and recently of the lawyer for the first accused person, we would have called two of the six witnesses by now”.
Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, Ghana’s Attorney-General and Minister for Justice
Despite these setbacks, Dr. Ayine is optimistic that the trial will commence shortly. “That notwithstanding, the trial in the SkyTrain case is expected to start before the beginning of the legal vacation,” he emphasized.
The Attorney-General’s remarks signal a significant turning point in the government’s ongoing efforts to fight corruption and recover misappropriated public funds.
ORAL, launched to tackle historic and emerging cases of graft, has come under scrutiny from anti-corruption advocates who have been demanding transparency and accountability in the handling of investigations and prosecutions.
With formal charges expected soon in the Wontumi and Akonta Mining cases and ongoing trials reaching critical stages, the coming weeks are likely to prove pivotal for the credibility of the government’s anti-corruption drive.
The Attorney-General’s assurances of imminent action will now be measured by the speed, fairness, and outcomes of the prosecutions ahead.
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