Minority accuses Attorney-General of engaging in “media trial” of suspects in pending criminal cases

The Minority Caucus in Parliament has criticised the Attorney-General (A-G), Dr Dominic Ayine, for engaging in media commentary on ongoing legal matters, arguing that it undermines the constitutional right to a fair trial under Article 19 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.

Mr. John Darko, Member of Parliament for Suame and Legal Counsel for the Minority Caucus, raised concerns that the Attorney-General’s public remarks about suspects in pending cases amount to a “media trial.”

This, he argued, violated Article 19(2)(c) of the Constitution, which guarantees that, “every person charged with a criminal offense shall be presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of competent jurisdiction”.

Addressing the Parliamentary Press Corps in Accra on Tuesday, the Caucus contended that such media engagements by the A-G risked prejudicing public opinion and potentially influencing judicial outcomes.

They argued that this undermined the integrity of the legal process and the rights of accused persons to a fair and impartial trial. Legal analysts and civil society groups have echoed similar concerns, warning that public commentary by state prosecutors can erode trust in the justice system and compromise due process.

This development highlights a broader debate in Ghana about the balance between transparency in public office and the sanctity of judicial proceedings. While the Attorney-General may seek to inform the public, critics argue that such disclosures must not come at the expense of constitutional protections.

Source: GNA

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