A debate has erupted in Ghana over the discontinuation of several high-profile cases, with private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu calling on the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Dr. Dominic Ayine, to provide reasons for the withdrawals. Kpebu expressed concerns that the blanket withdrawal of charges without explanation raises public concerns and undermines trust in the justice system.
Some of the discontinued cases include the Republic versus the former Director-General of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), Dr. Ernest Thompson, and the Republic against the Former Cocobod CEO, Dr. Stephen Kwabena Opuni & businessman Seidu Agongo. The latter case involved 27 counts of defrauding, causing financial loss, money laundering, and corruption.
Kpebu emphasized that assigning reasons for discontinuing these cases would help clear doubts and demonstrate the merit of such decisions. However, Godwin Edudzi Tamekloe, Director of Legal Affairs for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), countered that the Attorney-General (A-G) has discretionary powers to discontinue high-profile cases without needing to provide reasons.
Tamekloe cited Sections 54 and 59 of the Criminal Procedure Code (Act 30) and Article 88 of the 1992 Constitution, which grant the A-G the authority to initiate and terminate prosecutions without being questioned. He argued that requiring the A-G to provide reasons for discontinuing cases could have policy implications and create unnecessary legal and political challenges.
The controversy highlights the need for transparency and accountability in the justice system, with Kpebu stressing that providing reasons for discontinuing cases would be in the best interest of the Attorney General’s office and the government.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
