In a press briefing held on Wednesday, February 12, Attorney-General Dr. Dominic Ayine addressed growing concerns regarding his decision to drop charges in several high-profile cases, including that of Finance Minister Ato Forson. The Attorney-General cited insufficient evidence and politically motivated prosecution as key factors influencing the decision.
Speaking to journalists, Dr. Ayine made it clear that the charges against the accused lacked the legal foundation necessary to secure convictions. Specifically, in the case involving Ato Forson, Dr. Ayine highlighted that the charges were politically driven and not based on credible evidence.
“In the case of the Republic vrs Ato Forson, I was not counsel on record, but my colleague Edudzi Tamakloe was. I believe then, and I believe now, that the Honourable Ato Forson was a victim of political witch hunt,” Dr. Ayine stated.
The Attorney-General emphasized that since his appointment, no new evidence had emerged to justify continuing with the prosecution of Ato Forson. He described the charges as “defective” and pointed out that they should not have been filed in the first place.
“The second reason why I dropped some of the charges on the above case is that the charges were defective and, upon careful scrutiny, were filed against the prompting of plain common sense,” he remarked.
Dr. Ayine explained that pursuing the cases further would not only have been unethical but also an irresponsible use of state resources. According to him, after a thorough review by his legal team, it became apparent that the cases were legally flawed from the outset.
He assured the public that his decision was guided by professional and ethical principles, dismissing any claims of partisanship. “My role is to ensure that justice is served, not to waste time and resources on cases that cannot stand in a court of law,” he added.
This decision has sparked mixed reactions among Ghanaians, with some commending the Attorney-General for his integrity, while others question whether political interference in the judiciary can truly be eradicated.
For now, the decision has put an end to one of the most contentious legal battles in recent times, raising broader questions about the intersection of politics and justice in Ghana.