Prosecution Of Political Opponents Outside Courtroom Is Very Distasteful –Minority

The Minority Caucus in the Parliament of Ghana has cautioned the Attorney General, Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, to review his approach to handling cases involving political opponents of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The caucus argues that convicting suspects in public before going to court is distasteful and undermines the rule of law

“The new approach where the Attorney General seeks to convict political opponents in the court of public opinion before going to the court of competent jurisdiction is an abomination that should not be countenanced. The courts of Ghana are the only ones that should be allowed to convict or acquit”, noted the group who are affiliated to the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Addressing members of the Parliamentary Press Corps in Accra on Monday, March 24, 2025 on the rising incidents of alleged unlawful raids on political opponents, the Minority contended the Attorney General’s actions seek to prejudice the public mind against the suspect, stressing that such actions undermine the rule of law.

“This is terrible and a backward step in the growth of our democracy. Charges against a person should be laid in court for the person to enter a plea and advance a defense so that the courts can decide. This new operando of the Attorney General is totally against the principles of natural justice and should be stopped”, the 2^nd Deputy Minority Whip and MP for Weija, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, who addressed the press on behalf of the group emphasised.

The Minority Caucus referenced the recent arrest of Kwabena Adu Boahen, former Director of the National Signals Bureau upon his arrival at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) from London, who was paraded and handcuffed through the arrival hall of the airport.

He has been held in police custody for more than 48 hours without charge or trial, according to the Minority.

In a seeming response to the concerns of the Minority, the Attorney General, Dominic AkuritingaAyineshared details of the arrest and subsequent detention of Mr. Adu Boahen, together with his wife, Angela Agyei Boateng and some others.

The Attorney General alleged that the former security capo was being investigated for diverting US$7 million public funds into private accounts in a shady deal he allegedly initiated whilst in office.

But to the Minority, this act of public prosecution flouts the dictates of the law, stressing that “If you have evidence against someone, go to court. If you don’t have evidence, don’t malign people through press conferences”.

Stop the intimidation

The Minority also condemned the ‘Rambo-style’ arrests of several government appointments under the Akufo-Addo administration and urged the government to desist from using state power to intimidate political opponents.

They argued that such actions violate Article 18 of the Constitution, which protects individuals’ rights to personal liberty, privacy and protection from arbitrary searches and seizures.

The residences of Ken Ofori Atta, former Minister of Finance, John Peter Amewu, former Minister of Energy and MP for Hohoe, Lord Oblitey Commey, former Director of Operations at the Jubilee House and Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Ekumfi, former Chairman of the Public Procurement Authority were all raided by operatives of the National Intelligence Bureau on suspicion of corruption.

All but Mr. Adu Boahen have since been granted bail while investigations into the charges brought against them are being investigated.

“These arrests, detentions, midnight home raids, and threats are relics of the coup era and have no place in a functioning democracy. In a democracy, the administration has to focus on fulfilling its promise to improve the economic conditions of citizens and not resort to these antics. We urge the administration to let the rule of law prevail and stop these underhand tactics”, the group averred.

By Stephen Larbi

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