Former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Godfred Yeboah Dame has accused the John Mahama-led administration of deliberately halting high-profile criminal cases to clear its officials of wrongdoing.
He argued that the recent discontinuation of such cases is a calculated move aimed at exonerating former government appointees and shielding them from legal consequences.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, February 14, 2025, Dame criticized the Attorney-General’s decision to drop ongoing cases, insisting that due process must be allowed to take its course.
“These developments irresistibly point to only one conclusion, a calculated preconceived ploy on the part of the NDC to wipe out all criminal cases pending against its leading members and officials in the John Mahama government, declare them of wrongdoing, not by the court, but through their Attorney General.”
Godfred Yeboah Dame
His remarks come in response to Attorney-General Dominic Ayine’s decision to withdraw seven cases involving former NDC government officials.
While Dr. Ayine has defended the move, arguing that these cases lacked merit and were politically motivated, Dame insists that such a pattern of case withdrawals sets a dangerous precedent that undermines justice.
Ayine insisted that his actions were guided by constitutional principles, legal ethics, and professional integrity.
He suggested that insufficient consultation within the Attorney-General’s office could have influenced the decision-making process.
However, Dame firmly rejected these claims, calling them an attempt to justify an already questionable move.
Dame warned that Ghana’s legal framework should not be manipulated for political convenience. “Remarkably, there’s no precedent for this kind of conduct in the Fourth Republic,” he emphasized.
According to him, such a move undermines the integrity of the legal system and sends the wrong message about governance.
Dame also challenged Dr. Ayine to provide any documentation from the prosecution division of the Attorney-General’s office that recommended the discontinuation of these cases.
“I challenge Dr. Ayine to show any memorandum presented to him by the prosecution division advising on or expressing any view regarding the consultation or discontinuation of any of the criminal cases he refers to. I can say without any fear or contradiction that there is none.”
Godfred Yeboah Dame
Political Immunity?
Godfred Dame further alleged that the government’s actions amount to a deliberate strategy to grant perpetual immunity to its political allies.
He accused President Mahama’s administration of turning the Attorney-General’s office into a “clearing agent” to absolve their appointees of alleged wrongdoing, making it difficult to hold them accountable.
“The President, through his Attorney-General, has, in a spectacular fashion, become the clearing agent to indemnify their allies who have duly been put before the courts for the commission of crimes”.
Godfred Yeboah Dame
He also dismissed Dr. Ayine’s press conference as a “hurried and reactionary move” aimed at justifying decisions that have drawn significant public criticism.
According to Dame, the explanation offered by the Attorney-General lacked transparency and failed to address the core concerns about accountability.
Dame further stressed that the public will not be easily swayed by the government’s explanations, noting that the scrutiny and backlash against these case withdrawals would persist.
“I am, however, reassured by the fact that Ghanaians are discerning enough to discover the illegitimate motives for the discontinuance of the cases in question.”
Godfred Yeboah Dame
Legal and political analysts have since weighed in on the matter, with some expressing concerns over the potential long-term effects on Ghana’s judicial independence and governance.
Others argued that the move raises questions about the balance between political influence and the rule of law.
The controversy surrounding these case withdrawals is expected to remain a key topic in national discourse as the country moves closer to the 2028 elections.
Meanwhile, civil society organizations and opposition figures have called for greater transparency in the handling of criminal cases, urging the government to reaffirm its commitment to fighting corruption.
Some have also demanded that Parliament launch an inquiry into the matter to ensure accountability and prevent future political interference in the judicial process.
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