Attorney General Dr Dominic Ayine has sparked outrage with his decision to withdraw several high-profile cases after taking office on January 22, 2025.
The action has sparked concerns, with many demanding explanations, particularly in situations involving officials affiliated with the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
One of the most outspoken critics of these policies is renowned investigative journalist Manasseh Azuri Awumi, who has now labeled President John Mahama as the infamous “clearing agent”—a moniker first used to describe previous President Nana Akufo Addo.
Several key members of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) have also questioned the Attorney General’s decision, generating heated dispute with government spokespersons who claim the charges were politically motivated.
As the controversy continues, these are the seven high-profile cases that have been dropped, leaving Ghanaians asking questions.
- The Ambulance Trial (Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Richard Jakpa)
On January 23, less than 24 hours after taking office, Attorney General and Minister of Justice Dr Dominic Ayine filed a notice to end the contentious ambulance case against Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson and businessman Richard Jakpa.
The case involved charges that a failed deal to supply ambulances for Ghana resulted in a financial loss of €2.37 million. The state had already indicated its plan to contest a Court of contest decision issued on July 30, 2024.
- COCOBOD Trial (Dr. Stephen Opuni & Seidu Agongo)
On January 28th, an Accra High Court acquitted and dismissed former Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) CEO Dr Stephen Opuni and businessman Seidu Agongo following a seven-year trial.
The decision came after the state filed a withdrawal notice at the direction of Attorney General Dr Ayine.
The couple were facing 24 accusations, including creating a financial loss of about GH¢271 million in a fertiliser procurement contract during Dr. Opuni’s tenure at COCOBOD.
- Bank of Ghana Case (Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama).
On January 29th, Dr Ayine filed a notice to retract all charges against Dr Johnson Pandit Asiama, the former Second Deputy Governor (now Acting Governor) of the Bank of Ghana.
Dr Asiama and others had been charged since 2020 with fraudulent breach of trust, money laundering, conspiracy to commit a crime, and violations of the Bank of Ghana Act.
- The Democracy Hub Protest Case
The Attorney General’s Office dropped legal actions against Democracy Hub members, including co-chairs Oliver Barker-Vormawor, Elorm Ama Governor-Ababio, and Raphael Afful Williams.
On January 29, 2025, the state filed a nolle prosequi, ending the case. The accused was facing several accusations, including unlawful assembly, destruction of public property, assault on a public official, and conduct likely to disrupt the peace.
- SSNIT Case.
On February 7, 2025, the Attorney General dropped all charges against three of the four persons accused of creating financial damage to the state in the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) trial.
Former SSNIT Director-General Dr. Ernest Thompson, John Hagan Mensah, and Peter Hayibor were among those discharged. However, Caleb Kwaku Afaglo, SSNIT’s former Head of Management Information Systems (MIS), is still facing prosecution.
- Ofosu Ampofo Case.
The Attorney General has submitted a notice to remove all charges against former NDC Chairman Dr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo and former Deputy Communications Officer Kweku Boahen.
They were accused with conspiracy to do injury and assault on public officers. Furthermore, Dr. Ofosu Ampofo was accused of instigating NDC communicators against public officials, including the Chairpersons of the National Peace Council and the Electoral Commission.
- The Saglemi Housing Project Case
Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine dropped all charges against former Works and Housing Minister Collins Dauda and four others on February 7, 2025.
The accused faced 70 counts of causing financial loss to the state about the $200 million Saglemi Affordable Housing Project. Collins Dauda was cleared alongside the following individuals:
Kweku Agyeman-Mensah (Former Minister of Water Resources, Works, and Housing)
Alhaji Ziblim Yakubu (Former Chief Director of the Ministry of Water Resources, Works, and Housing)
Nouvi Tetteh Angelo (CEO, Ridge Management Solutions Ghana Limited)
The complaint was initiated by the previous government, who claimed financial irregularities in the project’s execution.
What’s next?
With these high-profile charges withdrawn, the scandal surrounding President Mahama’s administration is only heating up. Critics contend that this strengthens his “clearing agent” status, while government officials claim that these instances were politically motivated.
Attorney General Dr. Ayine is slated to conduct a press conference in the coming days to justify the choices, but will that be enough to appease the increasing public outrage?