Kpebu ‘whitewashes’ Ayine for discarding high profile cases

Marthin Kpebu, a private legal practitioner has criticised Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, for failing to provide reasons for discontinuing several high-profile criminal cases.

Mr. Kpebu argues that the Attorney-General’s decision to drop these cases without a justification undermines transparency, accountability and probity in Ghana’s justice system.

Since assuming office, Dr. Ayine has discontinued multiple cases, including those involving former CEO of COCOBOD, Dr. Stephen Kwabena Opuni, Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, former Deputy Bank of Ghana Governor, Dr. Johnson Asiamah, Fix the Country protesters, key officials involved in the Saglemi Housing Project, SSNIT Operational Business Suite (OBS) scandal and the leaked NDC audio case involving former National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman Samuel Ofosu–Ampofo.

Speaking on TV3’s Key Points program on Saturday, Kpebu insisted that merely halting these cases without explanations is inadequate.

He emphasised that transparency in such decisions fosters democratic accountability and enables the public to scrutinise government actions.

While Mr. Kpebu acknowledged that dropping the ambulance trial involving Dr. Ato Forson and Mr. Jakpa was expected, he stressed that the Attorney-General must still explain all decisions to build public trust.

Furthermore, he warned that if the public is not happy with the decision and the government remains adamant, the voters will hold the government accountable at the polls.

“Assigning reasons help our democracy,” Mr. Kpebu said.

“Before the Attorney-General stops a prosecution, there must be greater transparency and accountability.”

High-Profile Cases Discontinued

1. Cocoa Trial

Dr. Stephen Kwabena Opuni, Seidu Agongo and Agricult Ghana Limited were on trial for nearly eight years over allegations of causing a GH¢271 million financial loss to the state in a fertiliser procurement deal.

2. Ambulance Trial

Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and businessman Richard Jakpa faced trial for allegedly causing a €2.37 million financial loss in an ambulance procurement deal. The case gained national attention due to a leaked recorded telephone conversation between Jakpa and former Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame, which Kpebu cited as an example of judicial misconduct.

3. Financial Sector Crisis

Former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana Dr. Johnson Asiamah, UT Bank founder Prince Kofi Amoabeng and UniBank’s former CEO, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor II were among those charged with financial crimes linked to the collapse of several banks.

4. Fix the Country Protesters

Over 50 demonstrators, including convenor Oliver Barker-Vormawor and activist Ama Governor, were arrested while protesting against illegal mining (galamsey) and its environmental impact.

5. Saglemi Housing Project

Former Housing Minister Collins Dauda and other officials faced 70 charges related to alleged financial mismanagement in Ghana’s $200 million affordable Saglemi housing project.

6. SSNIT OBS Scandal

Ex-SSNIT Director-General Ernest Thompson and other officials were accused of financial losses exceeding $5 million in a pension administration system deal. As it stands, Caleb Kwaku Adaglo (A4) – Former General Manager of MIS at SSNIT- fate is yet to be determined by the trial court.

Meanwhile as Thompson, John Hagan Mensah (A2) – Former IT Infrastructure Manager and OBS Project Manager and Peter Hayinor (A5) – Former General Counsel of SSNIT have been freed by the A-G., Juliet Hassana Kramer (A3) – CEO of Perfect Business Systems (PBS) on the other hand was acquitted and discharged by the court.

7. Leaked NDC Audio Case

Former NDC National Chairman Samuel Ofosu Ampofo and Anthony Kwaku Boahen were charged over an alleged leaked audio inciting violence against Electoral Commission and National Peace Council officials.

The post Kpebu ‘whitewashes’ Ayine for discarding high profile cases appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.

Read Full Story