Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has dismissed claims that he is being pressured by the Presidency or other government officials to cut political or legal deals in ongoing prosecutions.
Addressing journalists at the Government Accountability Series in Accra, Dr. Ayine insisted that his office operates with full independence, guided solely by the rule of law and the pursuit of justice.
The event, part of a series initiated under President John Dramani Mahama’s administration to promote transparency and accountability – aimed at keeping citizens informed on the performance of key ministries and ensuring openness in governance – provided the platform for the Attorney-General to update Ghanaians on his stewardship.
Dr. Ayine made it clear that despite attempts by some political opponents to suggest otherwise, no one within the government has interfered with his prosecutorial duties.
“I want to also let you know that I’m under no pressure from anywhere to cut any deals. Mr. President, who is my boss, has never put pressure on me. When I brief him, he gives me his blessing. He doesn’t even express an opinion one way or the other. He says, Dominic, I’ve heard you. All right”
Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice
Dr. Ayine emphasised that neither the Chief of Staff nor any senior member of government had ever instructed him to compromise on the integrity of his work.
“The Chief of Staff has never put pressure on me to cut a deal with anybody,” he reiterated, explaining that President Mahama and his senior advisers have instead offered encouragement and confidence in his leadership at the Ministry of Justice.
He further clarified that the Secretary to the President, Dr Calistus Mahama, and the President’s legal counsel have equally refrained from any interference in his work, underscoring the professional independence of the Attorney-General’s Department under the current administration.
Of Dr. Calistus Mahama, Dr. Ayine testified, “he says the work is stressful, but I should keep on,” insisting that his office runs without fear or favour of the country’s current leadership and should be fully trusted to deliver justice without bias or undue political influence.
Rejecting Plea Deals
Dr. Ayine also revealed that several offers had been made to his office in connection with ongoing prosecutions, including the Wontumi case, but all had been declined. He explained that his approach to plea deals is strictly guided by law and court procedures, not political or personal considerations.
“Offers have been made, and I have turned all of them down. I have told everybody, please go to the court if you want a plea deal,” he said.
He described as “false propaganda” claims by political opponents, particularly from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), that he had been “cutting deals” in his office at the expense of doing diligent work.
“No deal has been cut and no deal will be cut,” Dr. Ayine said, maintaining that the only legitimate plea agreements under his leadership would occur through a Court of Competent Jurisdiction. “That is what I have decided and that is what we are going to do going forward,” he stressed.
The Attorney-General concluded by reaffirming his resolve to uphold justice always, noting that his focus remains on strengthening public trust in the justice system. He urged Ghanaians to ignore disinformation spread by those seeking to undermine the Office of the Attorney-General and the ongoing reform process under the Operation Recover All the Loot (ORAL) project.
“Forget about those who are paying bloggers to blog that ORAL is failing. ORAL is on course and will work for the good of the people of this country. We will exact accountability to the extent justifiable by law”
Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice
Dr. Ayine reaffirmed at the Government Accountability Series that he would not act outside the boundaries of the law for political gain, describing the work of the justice ministry as central to the government’s accountability agenda.
The Attorney-General’s presentation formed part of the government’s broader commitment to transparency and public accountability, as he dispelled false speculations about his office and pledged dedication to pursuing pure, unadulterated justice in the very near future.
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