Mr. Tuah-Yeboah, who accompanied Mr. Dame to the CID headquarters on Monday morning, said the complainant in the case was well aware that the former Attorney-General was innocent of the allegations levelled against him.

“It is purely political and borne out of dislike for Godfred Dame. The complainant knows that this matter wouldn’t have arisen if he hadn’t gone to see one of his relatives, a Supreme Court judge, to speak to Mr. Dame. He knows Godfred is innocent but wants to test him. We are ready for him; the truth will come out,” he said.

The former Deputy Attorney-General further stated that, having worked closely with Mr. Dame, he could vouch for his integrity and professionalism.

“I can state without any equivocation that he has done nothing untoward to merit these accusations. Godfred performed his duties with diligence and honesty. The truth will stand, and he will be vindicated,” he added.

Mr. Dame’s appearance at the CID follows a petition filed by Richard Jakpa, Director of Special Operations at the National Security Secretariat.

The petition, dated September 23, 2025, and addressed to the Director-General of the CID, accused the former Attorney-General of fabricating evidence during his tenure in connection with the ongoing ambulance procurement trial involving Mr. Jakpa and current Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.

According to the petition, Mr. Jakpa claimed that Mr. Dame attempted to influence his testimony during the trial to implicate Dr. Forson and even encouraged him to obtain a false medical excuse to delay court proceedings — conduct he described as “dishonest and unethical.”

The alleged incident reportedly took place on March 26, 2024, when Mr. Dame allegedly contacted Mr. Jakpa ahead of his court appearance to “tailor his testimony” to align with the prosecution’s stance on the disputed Letters of Credit central to the case.

The former Attorney-General, accompanied by his legal team, honoured the CID’s invitation on Monday to respond to the allegations.

Source: Adomonline

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• I haven’t fabricated evidence – Godfred Dame to CID

In a 50-point statement submitted to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on Monday, October 6, 2025, Mr. Dame described the accusations as “baseless,” “sour grapes,” and “a desperate ploy to obstruct justice.”

He dismissed Jakpa’s claims of evidence fabrication in the case titled “Republic vrs. 1. Cassiel Ato Forson, 2. Dr. Sylvester Anemena, 3. Richard Jakpa.” According to him, “none of the ingredients of the offence have been made out in the charge against me.”

The former Attorney-General insisted, “I did not fabricate any evidence led in that criminal trial. I have not been shown any piece of evidence adduced in the matter, either by the prosecution or the defence, which is alleged to be fabricated by me.”
He further emphasized that he “never attempted to influence the testimony of Richard Jakpa, and indeed, he was not influenced at all when giving evidence in the case in question.”

Explaining the legal definition of the alleged offence, Mr. Dame clarified that “the offence of fabrication of evidence entails causing a circumstance to exist, making a false entry in a book, record, account or forging a document adduced as evidence at the trial, with intent to mislead a judge, juror or public officer acting in a judicial capacity. No act of mine borders on the doing of anything that will constitute fabrication of evidence.”

He disclosed that the so-called evidence cited by Jakpa was “a secret recording of a telephone conversation between himself and me on 26 March 2024.”

However, Mr. Dame corrected that “that telephone conversation actually took place on 9 April, 2024, and not 26th March, 2024, as he alleges. I am unable to respond to an allegation based on an alleged conversation on 26 March 2024 since no conversation took place between us on that day.”

Mr. Dame explained that by the time of the said phone call, “the prosecution had long filed and made available to the defence, and even gone ahead to tender in evidence all the documents it sought to rely on.”

He noted that the documents had been filed as early as “14th February, 2022,” and that the High Court had ruled a prima facie case had been established against the accused persons on “30th March, 2023.”

By that point, “the first accused, Dr. Ato Forson, had closed his case,” while the second accused’s case had been discontinued due to ill health. According to Mr. Dame, “the only accused person left was Richard Jakpa, who was in the process of testifying. He opened his defence by himself as he had fired his lawyer, Mr. Aubyn.”

The former Attorney-General maintained that his call to Jakpa was only “to discuss the possibility of adjourning proceedings for that day since I had to finish up preparations for an international arbitration hearing in London.”

He added, “I will produce evidence of this as well. In the course of the discussion, he revived his disagreement over the meaning of the contract in question and the implications of using Letters of Credit as payment for the ambulances, which were proven to be not fit for purpose.”

Describing Jakpa’s complaint as one rooted in resentment, Mr. Dame said, “This complaint by Richard Jakpa is just sour grapes as he felt aggrieved by my refusal to yield to his representations, in those meetings with Justice Kulendi, for me to discontinue his prosecution.”

He continued that Jakpa was “hugely disgruntled and resentful of me following my insistence on proceeding with this prosecution despite the pressure he and the other accused persons brought on me to halt their prosecution.”

Mr. Dame further alleged that the first accused, Dr. Ato Forson, had personally visited his residence in 2023 “to make representations and impress upon me to stop his prosecution. This, I refused to oblige.”

He confirmed that all his encounters with Jakpa occurred either in open court or at the home of Supreme Court Justice Yonny Kulendi, whom he described as “a respected senior colleague for many years even before he was appointed to the Supreme Court.”

He remarked, “The fact remains that there would have been no ‘Dame–Jakpa’ without Justice Kulendi.”

Explaining his visits to the judge’s residence, he said, “It is inconceivable for a lawyer, more so the Attorney-General, to refuse invitations by a Justice of the Supreme Court to visit or to decline to give him audience when requested.”

However, he maintained that he “did not reasonably think that honouring invitations to his residence would entail any danger or prejudice” and that he “maintained independence of thought on all issues discussed in Justice Kulendi’s house, including matters related to Richard Jakpa’s prosecution.”

Mr. Dame stressed that Jakpa’s allegations had already been “judicially considered and pronounced upon by the High Court, Accra.”

Citing pages 24, 31, and 32 of the High Court ruling delivered on June 6, 2024, by Justice Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe, he quoted:

“After listening to the conversation between A3 and A1, the issue of whether the Attorney-General actually told A3 to implicate A1 is not borne out by the evidence.

The declaration that A3 was innocent and going through ordeal … was not made by the Attorney-General, but was made by A3, to which the Attorney-General responded at minute 10:20, ‘I am not asking you to help me.’”

He added that the court further concluded:

“After listening to the recording … there is no actual evidence that the Attorney-General as the prosecutor has behaved in such an egregious manner that the 1st Accused/Applicant’s right to a fair trial is in jeopardy.”

Mr. Dame argued that the CID lacked jurisdiction to reinvestigate matters already determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, stating: “The instant complaint seeks to relitigate issues already adjudicated upon by the High Court, Accra, in respect of which there is no appeal. The matters in issue have become res judicata.”

Detailing his limited engagement with the businessman, the former Attorney-General stated:
“I have never met Mr. Richard Jakpa anywhere apart from inside the courtroom and the residence of a Justice of the Supreme Court, His Lordship Justice Yonny Kulendi.”

He recounted that the first interaction occurred when Justice Kulendi visited his office on 18 January 2022, after Jakpa’s arraignment, to plead for the accused’s temporary release pending bail verification—an appeal he granted out of respect for the judge.

Mr. Dame said Jakpa later obtained his contact from Justice Kulendi and sent him 68 WhatsApp messages, to which he responded only twice—a fact Jakpa himself admitted in court.

Concluding his statement, the former Attorney-General declared: “In light of the above, I say that the allegation of fabrication of evidence is totally baseless and springs only from the fertile imagination of Richard Jakpa.”

He reiterated that his only motive in calling Jakpa on April 9, 2024, was procedural—linked to an adjournment request before his trip to London for an arbitration hearing, “one which Ghana ultimately won.”

Source: Kwaku Asante

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• Richard Jakpa petitions CID to probe Godfred Dame
• Over 70 lawyers storm CID headquarters to support Godfred Dame [Video]

Mr. Dame is at the CID office to respond to questions over a petition filed by businessman and Director of Special Operations at the National Security Secretariat, Richard Jakpa.

The petition relates to the ambulance procurement case heard at the Accra High Court, which involved Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and Mr. Jakpa, concerning allegations of causing financial loss to the state.

In his petition, Mr. Jakpa alleged that during the process, Mr. Dame attempted to influence him to testify in a manner that would implicate Dr. Forson.

Adom News’ Kodwo Mensah Aboroampa, who is at the CID office reported that Security at the premises has been visibly tight, with scores of sympathisers from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and members of the legal fraternity thronging the area to offer support.

Speaking to journalists at the scene, one of the lawyers, Kobby Amoah, expressed confidence in the former Attorney General’s integrity and innocence.

“We are here because we believe in Mr. Dame’s character and professional ethics. This is a show of support for a man who has served this country diligently,” he said.

In a related development, Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) is also at the CID office for questioning with regards to an ongoing probe into Akonta mining.

Source: Adomonline

ALSO READ:

• Richard Jakpa petitions CID to probe Godfred Dame
• Justice Kulendi, Richard Jakpa dragged to CID over ‘obstruction of justice’ claims

Mr. Ofori-Atta said his petition is motivated by a keen interest in upholding the rule of law, good governance, and democracy.

The petition requests the CID to investigate Justice Kulendi and Richard Jakpa, “to unravel all acts of criminality disclosed by their conduct, and take such prosecutorial action as is consistent with law.”

According to the petition, the trial of the accused persons began in January 2023. It alleges that Richard Jakpa used his familial connection with Justice Kulendi to obstruct justice, with the ultimate objective of either securing his acquittal or having the prosecution against him abated by the then Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame.

The petition asserts that the actions of Justice Kulendi and Richard Jakpa may constitute criminal offenses relating to interference with legal proceedings under the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

Key allegations cited in the petition include:

1. Intervention at Arraignment: On January 18, 2023, after Richard Jakpa was arraigned, he allegedly solicited Justice Kulendi’s help to influence the Attorney-General to permit his release, even though he had not met the bail conditions. Justice Kulendi reportedly visited the former Attorney-General’s office to request this.

2. Facilitating Contact: Richard Jakpa reportedly obtained the Attorney-General’s phone number from Justice Kulendi and attempted to meet him, sending numerous WhatsApp messages, which were admitted as evidence during the trial on June 18, 2024. The Attorney-General refused these meeting requests.

3. WhatsApp Disparity: Trial records show that Richard Jakpa sent 68 WhatsApp messages to the former Attorney-General, who responded only twice, as confirmed under cross-examination by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mrs. Yvonne Atakora-Obuobisa.

4. Secret Meetings: When the Attorney-General declined Jakpa’s requests, Justice Kulendi allegedly held private meetings at his residence on at least four occasions, secretly inviting Jakpa to interfere in the legal proceedings. This included attempts to halt the prosecution or ensure Jakpa’s release during the submission of no-case stage of the trial. Trial records indicate that outside the courtroom and Justice Kulendi’s residence, the Attorney-General had no interactions with Jakpa.

The petition includes copies of WhatsApp communications between Jakpa and the Attorney-General, as well as court records demonstrating potential interference in legal proceedings.

Mr. Ofori-Atta has indicated that he plans to petition the President to remove Justice Yonny Kulendi on grounds of misconduct and stated misbehavior.

Source: Maxwell Kudekor

Abronye was arrested on Monday, September 8, on charges of offensive conduct conducive to the breach of the peace.

Mr. Dame, who joined other party stalwarts to solidarise with Abronye at the Accra Circuit Court on Friday, insisted that the decision to keep him in custody is politically motivated and inconsistent with the rule of law.

“Even in the most serious case I prosecuted, which was the treason trial, all the accused persons were granted bail on the first day. This is a sharp contrast when it comes to the situation Abronye is facing,” he argued.

He further cited cases involving high-profile figures, including Collins Dauda, former Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, and businessman Richard Jakpa, where the accused were granted self-recognisance bail.

According to him, the selective approach in Abronye’s case signals growing intolerance by the administration.

“So, I am saying that there ought to be tolerance for free speech, and the intolerance of this administration is very repulsive,” Mr. Dame added.

Source: Adomonline

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1. On 28th July, 2025, he stated with some boldness, that it took the Attorney-General six (6) months to file witness statements in the Republic vrs. Ato Forson & 2 Others trial. This is palpably false, just like many other statements by him.

The accused persons in the Republic Vrs. Ato Forson & 2 Others case were arraigned before court for the first time on 18th January, 2022. The court, on that day, gave directions for filing of disclosures after the grant of bail to all the accused and adjourned proceedings to 15th February, 2022.

The Prosecution complied with the order of the court and filed all documents to rely on, including all intended exhibits, documents required by the defence and all witness statements of witnesses to be called by the Republic on 14th February, 2022 – within 27 days (less than one month), and not 6 months as wildly claimed by Dr. Ayine.

For the sake of banishing falsehoods and exposing the ways of the wicked, I hereby exhibit a copy of the record of proceedings for 18th January, 2022 and the process titled “Documents To Be Relied On” filed by the Attorney-General on 14th February, 2022.

The Office of the Attorney-General never, on a single occasion in the “Ato Forson” trial, requested further time to file a witness statement, or indeed, any document at all.

2. The important question is, how can the period of 27 days within which the Attorney-General filed witness statements and documents to be relied on in the “Ato Forson” trial appear to be six (6) months in the mind of Dr. Ayine? Is it sheer recklessness or a deliberate effort to make his predecessor and for that matter the Office he now heads, look bad? The docket on the case is in Dr. Ayine’s office and the facts could easily have been verified. I have said before, that, the tendency of the Attorney-General to publish plain untruths, half-truths and misinformation against the prosecuting team and courts adjudicating cases previously being prosecuted by his Office, is highly unprofessional. Dr. Ayine’s actions constitute an attack on the very Office he now heads.
3. The inescapable reality of Dr. Ayine’s latest act and ex post facto rationalisations (laden with contradictions and inconsistencies as they are) is that, he sought to free his former clients from the clutches of criminal prosecution through the exercise of the power of nolle prosequi. That is the first disclosure he should have made to the public at his press conference. Ghanaians deserve this basic courtesy.
4. Dr. Ayine ought not mislead the public into thinking that through some unprecedented genius, he has recovered assets or money for the State. All the assets of the Duffuors, Unibank and related companies as well as other persons being prosecuted with them, had already been identified by the Receivers of Unibank appointed by Bank of Ghana. The Receiver already had a full list and profile of assets owned by them. Dr. Ayine should indicate to the public when either himself or his team this year discovered any new assets owned by the Duffuors.

The record will reflect the fact that, to date, Dr. Ayine has not recovered a single Cedi in the Unibank matter. What he proposes to do, and for which he has already entered nolle prosequi, is to, in future, use some of the assets already identified by the Receiver to defray what he has unilaterally determined to be owed by the accused persons.

Instructively, this arrangement is not pursued under any law. It is only pursuant to the exercise of Ayine’s power of nolle prosequi. Dr. Ayine thus, cannot lay claim to recovering any more assets than what the Receiver already has. He also cannot claim to have recovered for the Republic any money from the accused persons this year.

Questions arising include, was any agreement executed with the Republic before the entry of nolle prosequi, and if so, when? Where is that agreement? Has any fair and objective valuation of the properties been done, and if so, when? Where is the valuation report? In the event of default, what is the penalty and how enforceable is it?

5. In Republic Vrs. William Ato Essien – a case arsing out of the collapse of Capital Bank – the amount admitted as owed by Ato Essien himself was GHC27Million. The State in an agreement entered into under section 35 of the Courts Act, 1993 (Act 459), settled on GHC90Million to be paid by the accused person. The accused paid GHC30Million in cash before the settlement was adopted by the court, with the rest to be paid over a period of one year. When he defaulted after paying GHC9million in addition to the GHC30Million deposit, the Attorney-General applied to the court for him to be sentenced to a term in prison. Ato Essien is presently in custody serving a 15 year jail term.

I daresay that, on account of the “RESETTING” of prosecution we are witnessing, there is no justification for Ato Essien to be in jail. Free Ato Essien now!

6. I ask, under what circumstance does Dr. Ayine claim that counsel for the accused in the Beige Bank case offered him GHC10Million? I assert that there is no record of this. I challenge Dr. Ayine to produce receipt of such a proposal, and, his official response. Was it a proposal to Ayine in his private capacity?
7. The State lost the Beige Bank case under Dr. Ayine’s watch on an appeal against a ruling on a submission of no case filed by the accused. Alarmingly, instead of exploring means of challenging the correctness of the decision of the Court of Appeal at the Supreme Court, Dr. Ayine seems very satisfied with the development and has already made comments suggestive of a disinclination to appeal.
8. I have been wondering why Ayine paints such a dreary and bleak picture of the prosecution of financial crimes? The facts show that between 2017 and 2025, the only high-profile financial crime case in which the Office failed to secure conviction was Republic vrs. Ato Forson & 2 Others, in which the accused persons were acquitted in a curious 2 – 1 judgment of the Court of Appeal, and in respect of which Dr. Ayine abandoned the conduct of an appeal filed by the Attorney-General and pending at the Supreme Court, at the time he took office as Attorney-General. The Office secured conviction in Republic Vrs. Eugene Baffoe-Bonnie & Others, Republic Vrs. Sedinam Tamakloe Attionu, Republic Vrs. Daniel Duku & Others (the Venture Capital Case), Republic Vrs. William Ato Essien, etc.

Indeed, on Sedinam Tamakloe Attionu, Dr. Ayine ought to brief the nation on what he is doing to extradite the lady to serve her sentence in Ghana or to trace her assets.

Ayine should simply declare his fundamental aversion to prosecution of financial crimes against a section of the Ghanaian society, and an appetite for cutting deals in lieu of prosecution.

9. The allegation of undue delay in the prosecution of white-collar crime regularly put up by Dr. Ayine as justification for cutting deals in lieu of prosecution, is a sham and ought to be rejected by the nation. The record will again reflect the fact that the inordinate delay in the trial of serious financial crime cases filed against leading members of the erstwhile NDC administration, witnessed in this country the past 8 years, were all a product of the tactics and machinations of defence counsel including Dr. Ayine. Unfortunately, they were aided by the justice system as they filed numerous interlocutory applications, appeals and judicial review applications at the Supreme Court. It is ironic that the first significant action by the Attorney-General, when the NDC assumed power, was to discontinue all of such cases filed against leading members of the NDC, completely impeding accountability and the rule of law.
10. I recall that, to cure the undue delays with the prosecution of criminal cases generally, I laid in Parliament and spearheaded through to near passage, an amendment to the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, which would eliminate most of the bottlenecks with the criminal procedure laws of the country including a suspension of the filing of interlocutory appeals until the submission of no case stage, and ensure day to day trial of criminal cases. If Dr. Ayine seeks to speed up the trial of financial cases, he ought to reintroduce that Bill into Parliament (just as he has done with the constitutional instrument on the Removal of Justices of the Superior Courts, which he adopted in full without changing a single clause when he assumed office and has since laid in Parliament).
11. A careful analysis of all the cases discontinued by Dr. Ayine, would show an abandonment of the pursuit of a total of over Seven Billion Ghana Cedis (GHC7,000,000,000), if one were to exclude the deal for GHC2Billion that Ayine claims to have struck in the Unibank case. The Republic, through Dr. Ayine’s decision to discontinue the prosecution of the cases, has automatically lost this gargantuan amount. It calls for an enquiry.
12. As a footnote, I cannot lose sight of the condescending tone in which Dr. Ayine frequently speaks about his predecessors with comments like “… those who started the prosecution did not do this, …. they failed to do this, … but I am doing this”, etc. cannot be lost on all.

The record shows that the Attorney-General who commenced prosecution of most of the banking sector cases, that Dr. Ayine treats with disdain, was Miss Gloria Afua Akuffo, who is many years senior to Dr. Ayine both at the Bar and in office. In fact, it goes without saying that all of Ghana’s previous Attorneys-General are Dr. Ayine’s seniors in office. Lol. They deserve utmost respect.

The veiled disparagement of former Attorneys-General by Dr. Ayine departs from the conservative traditions of that high office and is most unfortunate.

LEGALLY SPEAKING …!

Godfred Yeboah Dame,
Dame & Partners,
Accra.
29/07/25

Mr. Dame, who also serves as the Chief Justice’s lawyer, argues that due process and constitutional principles have been disregarded.

He made these remarks outside the court premises in Accra after his client suffered yet another defeat in her attempt to halt the proceedings by the five-member committee set up to probe the three petitions seeking her removal.

On Wednesday, May 28, the Supreme Court unanimously dismissed her injunction application against the committee.

This ruling was delivered a few hours after her supplementary affidavit was also struck out unanimously by the Court.

Some critics have suggested that the Chief Justice should resign of her own accord to spare herself further trouble.

However, her lawyer holds an entirely different view.

Speaking to journalists, Godfred Dame explained that resignation is not on the table because “due process, rule of law, constitutionalism, must prevail in Ghana.”

“That is what we seek. It is not because of people putting pressure on the CJ to resign or do whatever that we will take any decision. The most important thing is that there must be an upholding of the rule of law in Ghana.

And we continue to assert our rights. The proper thing must be done. As far as I’m concerned, the correct thing must be done… She knows what is due process. She knows what are constitutional rights, and I think that’s what she’s asking for,” he added.

Background

Gertrude Torkornoo, on May 21, filed an application at the Supreme Court seeking to restrain a committee set up by President John Mahama to investigate petitions seeking her removal from office.

In the suit, she requested an interlocutory injunction to halt all proceedings of the committee pending the final determination of the case.

According to court documents, the Chief Justice wanted the Supreme Court to issue an order restraining the six-member committee—composed of Justices Gabriel Scott Pwamang and Samuel Kwame Adibu-Asiedu, as well as Daniel Yao Domelevo, Major Flora Bazuwaaruah Dalugo, and Professor James Sefah Dziasah—from proceeding with any inquiry related to the petitions brought against her.

The application also sought to bar Justices Pwamang and Adibu-Asiedu from presiding over or participating in any deliberations of the committee.

Further, the Chief Justice asked the court to suspend the operation of the warrant for her suspension issued by the President under Article 146(10) of the Constitution until a final determination is made on the matter.

Other legal actions taken by some individuals and a group at the Supreme Court against the processes so far by the committee have also been dismissed.

Source: Kenneth Awotwe Darko

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Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile programme on Saturday, 24th May, Mr Tuah-Yeboah emphasised that Mr Dame, since leaving office, has become a private legal practitioner and has every right to take on legal briefs.

He noted that once Mr Dame ceased to hold the office of Attorney General, he became entitled to practise law freely and represent clients of his choice.

“Godfred Dame is no longer the Attorney General. He is now a private lawyer and can accept any brief presented to him, including this one involving the Chief Justice,” Mr Tuah-Yeboah explained.

He further highlighted that the suspended Chief Justice also holds the legal right to choose her counsel.

“The Chief Justice, like any Ghanaian, has the right to decide who should represent her in court. If she has confidence in Mr Dame’s ability, there’s absolutely nothing inappropriate about her engaging his services,” he added.

Mr Tuah-Yeboah’s comments come in response to concerns raised in some quarters about the propriety of Mr Dame’s involvement in the case.

However, his defence of the arrangement reinforces the principle that legal representation is a matter of personal choice, so long as it remains within the bounds of the law.

“My involvement is rooted in a commitment to uphold the Constitution and ensure due process. The reliefs we are seeking are purely constitutional in nature,” he stated.

He maintained that the legal action focuses on procedural irregularities in the suspension process rather than any personal relationship or allegiance.

Legal analysts say the case raises critical questions about judicial independence and executive authority under Ghana’s 1992 Constitution. The injunction application specifically challenges President Mahama’s suspension order issued under Article 146, arguing that it violates due process protections.

The five-member committee probing the petitions includes Justices Gabriel Pwamang and Samuel Adibu-Asiedu, former Auditor-General Daniel Domelevo, Major Flora Bazuwaaruah Dalugo, and Professor James Sefah Dziasah.

The Supreme Court is expected to rule soon on the injunction application, which seeks to halt the committee’s proceedings and suspend the Chief Justice’s suspension warrant.

Justice Torkornoo was suspended on April 22, 2025, following allegations of misconduct.

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Mr Dame made the submission in open court on Tuesday, May 6, while arguing in favour of an injunction to halt the suspension process.

He contended that the steps taken so far lack genuine legal merit and appear politically motivated.

“All these processes to suspend the Chief Justice are nothing but a charade to remove the CJ from office,” Dame stated emphatically.

He urged the court to intervene and prevent what he described as an abuse of constitutional procedures for improper ends.

The suit challenges the procedural legality of President John Mahama’s actions regarding the potential removal of the Chief Justice.

Assafuah, acting as a concerned citizen under Article 2(1)(b) of the 1992 Constitution, is seeking several declarations from the Supreme Court, invoking its original jurisdiction to interpret constitutional provisions governing the removal of a Chief Justice.

The lawsuit argues that the President must notify the Chief Justice and obtain their comments before initiating consultation with the Council of State on the matter.

On Tuesday, the presidency announced that President Mahama had begun consulting the Council of State following three petitions submitted to his office, calling for the Chief Justice’s removal.

Key Reliefs Sought by Vincent Ekow Assafuah

The plaintiff is requesting the Supreme Court to declare that:

• The President must notify the Chief Justice and obtain their comments before referring a removal petition to the Council of State, in line with Articles 146(1), (2), (4), (6), and (7), as well as Articles 23, 57(3), and 296 of the Constitution.

• Failure to notify the Chief Justice before initiating consultation with the Council of State constitutes a violation of Article 146(6) and undermines the constitutional protection of the Chief Justice’s security of tenure.

• Any omission in this process amounts to unjustified interference with the independence of the judiciary, contravening Articles 127(1) and (2) of the Constitution.

• The President’s failure to obtain the Chief Justice’s comments before triggering the removal process violates the right to a fair hearing, rendering the consultation process null and void.

• Any other reliefs the Court deems appropriate.

The Supreme Court is expected to hear the matter in the coming weeks, with the Attorney-General required to respond within 14 days of service.

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Former Attorney-General Godfred Dame has addressed his involvement in the controversial ambulance procurement trial, clarifying that a secretly recorded phone call with businessman Richard Jakpa, the third accused in the case, was the only conversation he had with him during the trial.

At a press conference on February 14, Mr. Dame explained that his advice to Jakpa to obtain a medical report was not malicious but rather a genuine suggestion, given Jakpa’s health condition and Dame’s own tight schedule due to an international case he was handling.

“Not knowing he himself had that illicit agenda and was secretly recording and was saying the things that he got on the tape, which came from him and not from me,” Mr. Dame remarked.

The former Justice Minister further clarified that Jakpa successfully obtained an adjournment in court based on his health condition, reinforcing his argument that his advice was purely factual.

“When he went, he actually obtained the adjournment because he was not well. So the fact of my asking him to obtain a medical certificate because he was not well was nothing but factual,” he explained.

Mr. Dame’s statements follow the announcement by Attorney-General Dominic Ayine that the controversial ambulance trial had been discontinued, a case that had garnered significant public and political attention.

Watch full video below:

Background

In May 2024, during cross-examination, Richard Jakpa revealed that the then-Attorney General had been contacting him at unusual hours to solicit testimony against the then Minority Leader and now Finance Minister, Dr. Ato Forson.

This revelation stirred public debate, with some calling for Mr. Dame’s resignation over the matter. Dr. Ato Forson was facing trial for his alleged involvement in the procurement of defective ambulances for Ghana.

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• I take full responsibility; Mahama didn’t direct me to drop cases – Attorney General

The accusations were made by his successor, Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine, during a press conference on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. Dr. Ayine alleged that Mr. Dame engaged in unethical and unprofessional conduct in prosecuting the case, which concerns the procurement of 200 ambulances under the John Mahama administration.

However, addressing the media on Friday, February 14, Mr. Dame rejected the claims, describing them as baseless and misleading.

“Dr. Ayine’s unfounded allegations insinuating unethical conduct on my part in the ambulance case are highly disingenuous. Unfortunately, they echo the falsehoods peddled by NDC foot soldiers and uninformed members of society,” he stated.

He also questioned the credibility of the accusations, pointing out what he described as irony in the situation.

“I find it quite ironic that Dr. Ayine, who is himself facing disciplinary proceedings for professional misconduct at the General Legal Council, would accuse me of unethical behavior,” he added.

Mr. Dame maintained that his handling of the case was in line with due process and legal standards, insisting that political interests should not be allowed to interfere with the administration of justice.

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At the press conference, Dr. Ayine sought to provide reasons for his discontinuation of certain criminal cases filed against certain persons, most of whom were leading members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and persons who served in the NDC Government that exited office in January 2017.

As the public would observe, throughout my tenure as Attorney-General, I never made any comment or passed judgment on the work of any of my predecessors in office even though I was often at the receiving end of many unsavoury remarks from sections of the populace, particularly, personalities in the NDC.

Since leaving office, I have also stayed clear of subjecting the work of my successor to any form of assessment, leaving that to discerning Ghanaians to do.

Before this morning, I had made absolutely no statement or comment whatsoever about the conduct or performance of the new Attorney-General, Dr. Dominic Ayine. However, at the press conference of the Honourable Attorney-General, in a rather unconventional manner, he proceeded to malign my good self, immediate past Attorney-General, and peddled a host of untruths, half-truths and misinformation, a trajectory which is not only unfortunate but begs the question as to the actual motive and justification for his decisions.

The Judiciary was not spared the brush of the Attorney-General’s unwarranted scathing attacks, as some members were subjected to similar disparaging attacks under the guise of Dr. Ayine’s strained exercise of “assigning reasons” for decisions he has taken as Attorney-General.

I consider the attack on the Judiciary as part of the stratagem of the NDC to blame others for their resolve, long before they assumed power, to clear all of John Mahama’s appointees of any criminal liability for past acts by withdrawing criminal cases pending against them. Indeed, Dr. Ayine’s decisions are in furtherance of the RESETTING AGENDA of the NDC.

The material facts will bear this out. Dr Ayine was sworn in as Attorney-General on Wednesday, 22^nd January, 2025. On Friday, 24^th January, 2025, he caused to be filed a notice of abandonment of the appeal by the State in Republic vrs. Ato Forson and 2 Others. On Tuesday, 28^th January, 2025, he withdrew the case against Dr. Stephen Opuni and 2 Others, resulting in the complete white wash of their crimes by an acquittal and discharge through the backdoor.

On 29^th January, 2025, he entered another withdrawal in Republic Vrs. Ofosu-Ampofo & Another, again resulting in an acquittal and discharge of the accused. On 30^th January, 2025, Dr. Ayine withdrew two different cases against Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama, resulting in his acquittal and discharge in one and a discharge in the other. There were more withdrawals and nolle prosequi to be entered by the NDC Government through the Attorney-General in the subsequent days. Indeed, what broke the trend of “one day, one withdrawal”, was the occurrence of weekends.

Fellow Ghanaians, these developments irresistibly point to only one conclusion – a calculated, preconceived ploy on the part of the NDC to wipe out all criminal cases pending against its leading members and officials of the John Mahama Government and clear them of wrongdoing, not by the courts, but through their Attorney-General.

Remarkably, there is no precedent for this kind of conduct in the Fourth Republic. Throughout the two 8-year terms of the NPP in Government, no Attorney-General appointed by either President J. A. Kufuor or President Akufo-Addo withdrew criminal charges or filed nolle prosequi in cases involving leading members of the NPP or senior members of the government.

By the time the NPP assumed power in 2017, all the cases filed by the erstwhile NDC Government against some Ministers and appointees of the Kufuor Government had been contested fully in the courts and won.

We secured acquittals through the courts, and not by resorting to delay tactics in the hope that an Akufo-Addo appointed Attorney-General would come and withdraw the cases and procure an acquittal. I speak from experience as I personally conducted some of the cases. Other lawyers within our ranks including my Deputies also handled some.

I must state that it is clearly unprecedented for an Attorney-General to hold a press conference and subject his predecessor-in-office to abuses and peddle falsehood in the manner displayed by Dr. Dominic Ayine. I am constrained, to set the records straight, to unveil the half-truths and manipulation of facts for well-meaning Ghanaians to decipher the true intentions of the NDC Government acting through the current Attorney-General in withdrawing charges against leading members of the NDC.

1. It is necessary to indicate at the outset that, the decision to charge a person with a criminal offence, especially in the high-profile cases in issue which held serious implications for the public purse, involved a prosecutorial discretion exercised pursuant to painstaking investigations conducted by duly authorised investigative authorities of State, inquiries and extensive deliberations  by career prosecutors in the Office of the Attorney-General, who indeed proceeded to conduct the cases. I continue to be grateful for the advice I received from the hardworking Attorneys at the A-G’s Office, investigators and my able Deputies, Mr. Alfred Tuah Yeboah and Ms. Diana Asonaba Dapaah, on the cases we personally initiated in office and the many others that had been commenced by my distinguished predecessor, Madam Gloria Afua Akuffo, which we continued. I cherish the robust discussions and debates we had while professionally moving forward with each of those cases.

• The nation would note that Dr. Ayine and other leading figures in the NDC and the Government of the day were counsel in many of the cases he has discontinued.  I say that, indeed, it is not uncommon for defence counsel, as Dr. Ayine and other NDC personalities were, looking at the same set of facts to come to different conclusions informed by their varying understandings of the law and the undeniable political considerations they hold. However, I daresay that in taking decisions as monumental as withdrawing those cases, the only consideration had to be the national interest and not that of defence counsel. The analysis I make of the reasons advanced by Dr. Ayine will expose the questionable intent behind the withdrawal of the criminal cases.

• Dr. Ayine’s unfounded allegation insinuating unethical conduct on my part in the conduct of the Ambulance Trial – Republic vrs. Cassiel Ato Forson is highly disingenuous and rather unfortunately, recaps the series of falsehoods persistently published by foot soldiers of the NDC and other uninformed members of society. I must say that I find it quite ironical for Dr. Ayine, who is the subject of disciplinary proceedings for professional misconduct still pending at the General Legal Council, filed by the Hon. former Chief Justice himself, to accuse me of unethical conduct. In the interest of the nation, the case of professional misconduct pending against Dr. Ayine at the General Legal Council, should have been determined before the parliamentary assessment of his suitability or otherwise for the high office of the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice of our dear Republic.

• The facts relating to the allegation by Dr. Ayine that I interfered with an accused person in the Ambulance case are well within the public domain and have been adumbrated in court proceedings. The record shows that there has been a judicial determination of that unfounded allegation frequently made by foot soldiers of the NDC and other uninformed people. Shockingly, Dr. Ayine, the current Attorney-General, ignored this fundamental fact in his 10-page Press Statement and over an hour conference with the media, for the simple reason that he knew that his allegation had been flatly debunked by the court when same was put to strict scrutiny.

If you would recall, the accused persons in the Ambulance Trial, filed an application for mistrial, hinging same on the alleged interference with one of the accused persons. On 6th June, 2024, the High Court coram Her Ladyship Justice Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe dismissed the application. You would all remember the learned Justice of the Court of Appeal, who sat as an additional High Court Judge, say that she had listened to the tape in question about ten (10) times and found nothing to warrant a mistrial. Specifically, she stated at page 24 of her ruling:

“After listening to the conversation between A3 and A1, the issue of whether the Attorney-General actually told A3 to implicate A1 is not borne out by the evidence on Exhibit CAF2. These words were uttered by A3 at about minute 09:00 to 10:00. In the same vein, the declaration that A3 was innocent and “going through ordeal” but was being asked to help make the case of the AG better was not made by the Attorney-General, but was made by A3, to which the Attorney-General responded at minute 10:20, “I am not asking you to help me …” at minute 10:30.

The statement made that “You and I, you’ve been meeting me at my cousin’s place …” (at minute 10:45) etc. when closely, together with A3’s alleged attack of conscience did not proceed from the mouth of the Attorney-General”. The judge proceeded to state at page 32 of her ruling that “the 3rd Accused by any stretch of imagination be seen to be the one procuring new evidence or cowed by the conversation”.

• In the face of this clear judicial determination of no wrongdoing as to warrant a mistrial, it completely defies logic and good reason why the Hon. Attorney-General of Ghana would say to the public that I was culpable of a “disgraceful and unethical conduct” in the Ambulance trial. Ghanaians want to know rather, how the current Attorney-General, Dr. Dominic Ayine, will deal with the complaint of professional misconduct pending at the General Legal Council against him made by no less a person than the Chief Justice of Ghana in 2021.

RELIANCE ON DEFENCE COUNSEL TO WITHDRAW CASES AND ENTER NOLLE PROSEQUI

• Ladies, and gentlemen, in a chilling twist, the nation heard Dr. Ayine confessing to speaking with lawyers for the defence and engaging them on the cases that were pending against the leading members of the NDC before exercising his discretion to file nolle prosequi or withdraw the charges. He indicated that in Republic vrs. Gyakye Quayson, the lawyer for the accused person expressed an inclination to go on and prove the innocence of his client, and therefore, he decided not to enter nolle prosequi. Respectfully, what this betrays clearly, is that, the exercise of Dr. Ayine’s discretion to continue with the prosecution of cases or not is informed principally by the disposition of counsel for the accused in cases that the Republic is prosecuting against their clients. Thus, if counsel for the accused is in the position to strongly defend the interests of his client in court, the Attorney-General of the Republic will not enter nolle prosequi. Where the counsel for the accused are not convinced about the likelihood of success of their defence in court, Dr. Ayine would immediately enter a withdrawal (if the prosecution has closed its case), or nolle prosequi (if the prosecution has not closed its case).

• As I will show in an examination of each of the specific cases cited in Ayine’s press statement, the Hon. Attorney-General quite reprehensibly, relied solely on the case for the defence before exercising his discretion to discontinue the actions. He did not engage in any meaningful consultation with the Prosecutions Division of the Office of the Attorney-General before instructing the filing of the withdrawals and nolle prosequi in the cases against the senior members of the John Mahama Government and other leading members of the NDC. The dates of the filing of the said processes buttress the assertion I make here. I challenge Dr. Ayine to show any memorandum presented to him by the Prosecutions Division of the Office of the Attorney-General advising or indeed, expressing a view on the continuation, discontinuation or “termination”, as he calls it of any of the criminal cases in question. I can say without any fear of contradiction, that, there is none. He should also show evidence of consultation on any of the charges he held with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) before discontinuing the cases. You can be assured he cannot produce any.

• Listening to Dr. Ayine, one gets the distinct and chilling confirmation that he relied solely on the version of the facts of the case as presented by counsel for the accused as well as their erroneous views of the law on the subject matters in question. It is for this reason that the claims of alleged defects with the various charges only re-echo positions articulated by the defence counsel throughout the proceedings. In effect, Dr. Ayine came to narrate to the Ghanaian public on Wednesday, the perspective of defence counsel on the charges their clients had been charged with. The media would notice that, for each of the cases, the explanations of the Attorney-General for the withdrawal filed were only a rehash of argument already reported in the media as having been made in the court room by counsel for defence. Is that a reasonable manner of the exercise of the Attorney-General’s discretion to enter nolle prosequi and withdrawal of criminal cases?

• The people of Ghana should be very scared if we have an Attorney-General whose prime consideration for the discontinuation of criminal cases involving the loss of billions of Ghana Cedis is, the position of defence lawyers on charges preferred against their clients rather than the interests of the Republic in the prosecution of crime.

1. Even more scary and bizarre is the claim of Dr. Ayine that he did not consult the former President , John Dramani Mahama before taking the monumental decision to discontinue the criminal cases. The cases involved the loss of colossal sums of taxpayers’ money and some related to the banking sector crisis which affected the Ghanaian economy. The people of Ghana should indeed be extremely concerned and afraid by the vesting of prosecutorial authority in a person who can discontinue the prosecution of such important and high-profile cases without discussing with the President of the Republic and members of the Cabinet. Even defence counsel he consulted, how much more the President?

1. But Ladies and gentlemen, we ought to ask ourselves – is it true that Dr. Ayine did not consult the President or his Cabinet about the decision to discontinue the various criminal proceedings? A careful examination of the facts shows that this claim is palpably untrue. The nation has not forgotten the loud claims made by President John Mahama and the NDC that the NPP rather, was responsible for a collapse of the banking sector and that on assuming power, the John Mahama government will restore all the banking licences which were revoked. The withdrawal of the cases in question is only the first step of the clearing or whitewashing process of those whose acts led to the crisis that plagued the banking sector. Ghanaians are certainly more discerning than the NDC and Dr. Ayine think.

I proceed to examine Dr Ayine’s reasons for withdrawing some of the criminal cases Dr. Ayine mentioned in his Press Statement. I find, generally, that all his explanations are laden with contradictions and inconsistencies and betray the questionable motives for his actions.

1. REPUBLIC V. CASSIEL ATO FORSON & ANOTHER

1. The firs reason assigned by the Attorney-General for the discontinuance of the appeal is “ethical and professional”, since he was deeply involved in the conduct of the defence of Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson. According to him, he could not “in good conscience” continue the conduct of the appeal. This explanation is a sham as the Attorney-General’s prosecutorial authority under article 88(4) of the Constitution is exercised by himself or “any other person authorised by him in accordance with any law”. Pursuant to this, the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30) permits attorneys of the Office of the Attorney-General and other persons, including even private legal practitioners, to whom the Attorney-General may delegate his powers through an executive instrument enacted pursuant to Act 30, to prosecute. Thus, the fact that he, Dr. Dominic Ayine, found himself in a conflict of interest situation did not imply that the entire appeal had to be abandoned.

Dr. Ayine characterises the prosecution of the Ambulance case as a political witch hunt. I wholly disagree. The facts show that vehicles purporting to be ambulances were imported into the country in December, 2014 in violation of the contract governing the transaction. In the absence of any request by the Ministry of Health, and at a time that the period for supply of the ambulances under the contract had even lapsed, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, by letters dated and 7^th and 14^th August, 2014, instructed the Bank of Ghana and the Controller and Accountant-General to issue letters of credit which was the agreed means of payment for the vehicles.

The letters of credit were consequently established on 18^th August, 2014. Big Sea General Trading LLC, the suppliers of the vehicles based in Dubai, whose contract had no parliamentary approval, proceeded to ship the vehicles on receipt of the letters of credit. When the vehicles arrived, they were not of the kind specified in the contract and had serious defects with every material part of the vehicles which rendered them unfit to be described as ambulances. Indeed, a John Mahama appointed Minister for Health at the time, Dr Alex Segbefia described the vehicles as “ordinary vans” not fit for purpose.

The defects were so irremediable that from the time the vehicles started arriving in December, 2014 up to January, 2017 when the erstwhile John Mahama administration left office, they could not be converted into ambulances. To date, they cannot be converted into ambulances and the John Mahama Government is back in pwoer.

I am of the honest view that the split 2 – 1 decision of the Court of Appeal, far from confirming Dr. Ayine’s opinion that the case was flawed, was erroneous and the Republic’s chances of having same set aside by the Supreme Court was very high. If Dr. Ayine was convinced that his position would prevail on appeal, why did he not allow the appeal to run its course for a vindication of his views? What did he or his former client, Dr. Ato Forson stand to lose by a determination of the appeal by the Supreme Court? Ladies and gentlemen, I observe that the real reason for a discontinuance of the appeal by Dr. Ayine was that he did not wish to deepen the woes of Dr. Ato Forson any further.

• REPUBLIC V. OFOSU AMPOFO & ANOTHER

1. Dr. Ayine did not advance any reason whatsoever for the withdrawal of this matter save that he was on record as counsel for the defence. I have already pointed out above the absurdity of such a position. I would not recount same. The self-serving nature of Dr. Ayine’s decision is too apparent for the people of Ghana to see.

• REPUBLIC V. COLLINS DAUDA & OTHERS

1. The reason advanced by the Attorney-General for the entry of nolle prosequi in the case filed against Mr. Collins Dauda and 4 Others for their roles in the Saglemi Housing Scheme, is that in his view, the charges were defective. He claimed that the prosecution wrongly charged the former Minister, Collins Dauda with the offence of misapplying public property (funds) in the sum of Two Hundred Million United States Dollars (USD200million). In Dr. Ayine’s view, the prosecution should taken account of the fact that part of the US$200m was used to construct the houses at Saglemi. With the greatest respect, this analysis by Dr. Ayine portrays a complete misapprehension of the ingredients of the offence of misapplying public funds. The offence of intentionally misapplying public property consists in wrongly applying public property, which is defined under the Public Property Protection Act, 1977 (SMCD 140) for a purpose other than as lawfully approved. It is different from the offence of wilfully causing financial loss to the State whose defining ingredient is the actual loss occasioned the State through one’s wilful acts. In this case, Mr. Collins Dauda was charged with the offence because he intentionally misapplied the sum of US$200 Million for the construction of 1,412 housing units instead of the 5,000 housing units lawfully approved by Cabinet, the Parliament of Ghana and the Public Procurement Authority to be constructed. So, the question of how much was disbursed by the State during Collins Dauda’s tenure as Minister for Works and Housing, or the exact amount spent on the buildings when he was Minister, is immaterial. The real question is whether Collins Dauda authorised the application of the sum of US$200 Million for the purpose lawfully approved for the project, i.e. the construction of 5,000 housing units. The answer to this can only be in the negative.

I say that, in any event, if the Attorney-General was of the considered view that the sum of US$200 Million mentioned under the count of misapplying public property should have been US$94 Million, all he had to do as a good prosecutor acting in good faith, was to amend the count. The remedy is not a discontinuation of the entire case, especially when that offence of misapplying public property constituted only one out of seventy (70) charges filed in the case. What happens to the other sixty-nine (69) charges that Dr. Ayine does not fault, and did not talk about.? With the greatest respect, the State should be seriously worried if her Attorney-General demonstrates such ignorance of the basic principles in criminal law and ingredients of offences which border on the protection of State funds or public property.

1. The second factor cited by Dr. Ayine for the withdrawal of the Saglemi case is the alleged failure of the prosecution to charge other Ministers who took office after Mr. Collins Dauda left office. This is another palpable falsehood. The State charged all those whose roles in the Saglemi Housing Scheme implied criminal liability. This included Kwaku Agyeman-Mensah who signed and authorised the payment of money and who was John Mahama’s Minister after Collins Dauda until January, 2017. It also included a Chief Director, Alhaji Ziblim, who was in office until 2017 (covering a part of the tenure of Mr. Atta Akyea as Minister) and signed and authorised payment of money.

Dr. Ayine raises issue with the failure to join Hon. Samuel Atta Akyea as an accused person in the matter. It ought to be made clear that the prosecution of crime is not an arena to achieve political equalisation. A careful check of the facts would have disclosed to Dr. Ayine that Hon. Samuel Atta Akyea never authorised any payment for the Saglemi project. Mr. Atta Akyea was rather the one who called attention to the bizarre circumstances of the project and wrote a letter seeking the advice of the then Attorney-General, Ms. Gloria Afua Akuffo in or about 2019 for an urgent termination of the contract, a decision which stopped the State from unnecessary financial haemorrhage.

The sum of US$5 Million that Dr. Ayine alludes to, was authorised to be paid by the then Chief Director, Mr. Solomon Asoalla, and not Mr. Atta Akyea. The decision by the prosecution team not to charge Mr. Solomon Asoalla but rather to use him as a prosecution witness was, because a scrutiny of the record showed that, Mr. Asoalla in truth, tried to save the Saglemi housing project from total collapse. The sum of US$5Million was authorised by Mr. Asoalla to be utilised for the project to save the project. Further, he assisted in shedding light on the relevant facts of the project.  Hence our decision to use him as a prosecution witness.

• THE PROSECUTION OF DR. JOHNSON PANDIT ASIAMA

1. The narration given by the Attorney-General about why he discontinued the two different cases against Mr. Johnson Pandit Asiama disclosed a litany of untruths, half-truths and a skilful manipulation of the facts. Be that as it may, as it is with any manipulation of facts, the truth is always laid bare on being subjected to careful analysis.

• THE REPUBLIC V. KWABENA DUFFUOR & OTHERS – THE UNIBANK CASE

1. This case involved an approval by Dr. Johnson Asiam of the sum of GHC450Million for the benefit of Universal Merchant Bank. Part of that sum of was GHC300Million Cedis which was an unsecured facility approved by Johnson Pandit Asiama for Universal Merchant Bank for the benefit of Unibank Limited. The sum of GHC300Million formed the basis of a charge of making approvals in contravention of the Banak of Ghana law. The remaining amount of GHC150Million formed the basis for the offence of wilfully causing financial loss. It is necessary to state that, contrary to Dr. Ayine’s claim, the sum of GHC150Million to date, remains unpaid.
2. I must indicate that I find the line of thinking of Dr. Ayine that simply because an alleged loss to the State is recoverable after the offence has been committed or the charge filed, the offence of wilfully causing financial loss is rendered invalid very strange and insupportable. Also, an amount paid in violation of a law, when subsequently recovered, does not clear the person who gave the approval to be made of criminal wrongdoing in the first place.

1. The anchor of Dr. Ayine’s explanation for discontinuing the cases against Johnson Pandit Asiama is a memorandum allegedly delivered to my good self by attorneys at the Office of the Attorney-General purportedly “recommending that the charges against him be dropped”.

Let me state for the record, that, to the best of my knowledge, no such memorandum exists. I do not recall receiving any such memo from the Prosecutions Division. I challenge Dr. Ayine to produce such a memo for the examination of the public as he has touted same to the public at a press conference as the basis for his impugned actions.

Curiously, when probed further on that issue in the “Questions” session of his press conference, Dr. Ayine claimed that I might have disagreed with the memo, and that, he is yet to know the exact comments I made on the memo. This is bewildering and casts doubts on Dr. Ayine’s assertions that a memo was presented to me on the issue. Will my comments or the position I took on the memo not be expressed on the memo? How can Dr. Ayine see the memo but not see my comments in the memo? Clearly, the Attorney-General set out to throw dust into the eyes of Ghanaians who, in his view, are a bunch of unanalytical people. Ghana deserves better than the tales of Dr. Ayine.

• Assuming for argument purposes that a memo was prepared for the consideration of the former Attorney-General (by some state attorneys whose ranks the current Attorney-General does not specify and on a date he does not indicate), is such a memo binding on the Attorney-General? Is the view of the state attorney binding on the Attorney-General?

Dr. Ayine himself alleges that he had some discussions with the DPP before withdrawing the cases in issue. Where he disagreed, he made it known to the DPP. Was the DPP’s view binding on Dr. Ayine? Was it not his view of the charges he withdrew which prevailed? If Dr. Ayine could form a view of the charges he withdrew from the court in spite of what the DPP told him, how can he castigate Godfred Dame in the media for whatever views Godfred Dame took on a memo allegedly presented to him by some state attorneys who Dr. Ayine cannot name, on a date he cannot specify and affecting some accused persons he could not specify. (Mind you, there are 6 accused persons in the matter. Did the memo touch on all 6? Dr. Ayine fails to tell).

I say that Dr. Ayine, should with the greatest respect, be bold to fully accept responsibility for his action in withdrawing and filing nolle prosequi in all the cases, rather than purporting to blame former Attorneys-General for his decisions.

• REPUBLIC VRS. JOHNSON PANDIT ASIAMA & 5 OTHERS – THE UT BANK CASE.

• Dr. Ayine lumps up the facts of the two cases against Johnson Asiama and contends that the alleged memo presented to the former Attorney-General which discussed an amount of GHC450 Million the subject matter of charges against the gentleman in the Unibank case also covered the UT Bank case. This is another falsehood. The sum of GHC450Million was in respect of only the Unibank case.

• The UT Bank case involved the grant of approval by Dr. Johnson Asiama of GHC460Million facility to UT Bank in violation of the single obligor limits.

• Be that as it may, it suffices to note that Dr. Ayine provides absolutely no justification for a withdrawal of the charges in the UT Bank matter, save the allegation that an alleged memo was presented to me. It is also important to note that the Attorney-General conceals the simple fact that the prosecution had closed its case in the UT Bank case. Thus, by virtue of the notice of withdrawal filed by the Attorney-General, Johnson Pandit Asiama was acquitted and discharged. Dr. Ayine therefore secured, through the backdoor, a whitewash and clearing of sins of Johnson Pandit Asiama forever.

• REPUBLIC V. STEPHEN OPUNI & 2 OTHERS

• The reasons given by the Attorney-General for the withdrawal of the case against the three accused persons in the Stephen Opuni case and the consequential whitewash and cleansing of sins through an acquittal and discharge, again recounts the misconceived perspective of defence lawyers on the charges. That case involved the loss of GHC271Million to the State.

• Once again, the media would observe that the Attorney-General only presented to the public the same stories that had formed the line of defence of counsel for the accused, completely abandoning the formidable case built by the prosecution. The Attorney-General completely disregards the fact that the prosecution had been adjudged by all the courts in the Superior Courts architecture – the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court- as having established a case for the accused to answer. Dr. Opuni had closed his case. Seidu Agongo had called about 10 witnesses.

• Dr. Ayine, in the face of the holdings of the various courts that there was a case for the accused to answer in respect of the over 27 charges filed in the Opuni case, proceeded to embark on a scathing attack on the work of the Prosecutions Division of the Office of the Attorney-General over which he is now superintending, as a ruse to justify his withdrawal of the case. The simple question that begs for answer is this: why would the Attorney-General who is supposed to be acting in interest of the Republic be arguing strenuously in favour of the defence counsel and against the Republic when all the Superior Courts had stated that Dr Opuni and two others had a case to answer?

If the new Attorney-General, was of the view that the accused had a strong case and would be acquitted, why did he not wait for the accused to establish this through the trial? Is it the case that counsel for the accused told him after his extensive discussions with them, that they were not sure of securing the acquittal of their clients and therefore, they would prefer the A-G to bail them out through a withdrawal of the charges?

DISPARAGEMENT OF THE JUDICIARY AS A PLOY TO DEFEND THE WRONG WITHDRAWAL OF THE OPUNI CASE

• Fellow Ghanaians, in purported rationalisation of the Government’s decision to withdraw the Opuni case, the Attorney-General, most bizarrely, attacked the integrity of a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Clemence Honyenuga and the Honourable Chief Justice, albeit unjustifiably. Dr. Ayine claimed that a perjury application filed by Dr. Stephen Kwabena Opuni against a witness was not heard by Justice Honyenuga and that “this is most unacceptable”. Regrettably, this is another falsehood in Dr. Ayine’s press statement. The trial court ruled on the said perjury application. The applicant proceeded to the Court of Appeal.

I repeat that the tendency of an Attorney-General to peddle untruthful allegations against the prosecuting team and judges sitting on cases being prosecuted by his Office, is highly unprofessional. This is what we see from Dr. Ayine three weeks into his tenure! His actions constitute an attack on the very Office he is now head of.

• Dr. Ayine stated further in his press statement that, “when, in accordance with law and practice, Justice Anokye Gyimah decided he was going to hold a de novo trial in the same Opuni case, he was instantly transferred to Kumasi and the case was allocated to a new judge who then proceeded to adopt the proceedings”. This is another plain falsehood and a rehash of the unfounded allegations made by NDC commentators in the media space. If Dr. Ayine had taken pains to examine the file in the Opuni matter, as he should have done, he would have found that it was not a new trial judge who adopted the proceedings for the trial to continue. The then Attorney-General, my good self, was compelled to file an appeal against the order of Justice Anokye Gyimah for the proceedings to start de novo or afresh after the close of the prosecution’s case and the defence had opened their case. The Court of Appeal allowed the Attorney-General’s appeal and ordered that the proceedings be adopted before the trial court. It took about three months for the appeal to be heard and determined. Before the conclusion of the appeal, the Hon. Chief Justice in exercise of her powers under the Constitution, at a time that the proceedings in the Opuni matter had effectively been stayed owing to the pendency of the appeal, transferred the Justice Anokye Gyimah to the High Court, Kumasi. The display of unfamiliarity by the current Attorney-General of facts regarding cases he withdraws from the courts and speak about in the media, is shocking. Ghana must be seriously worried.

• Ladies and gentlemen, I deem the press conference hurriedly assembled by the Attorney-General, Dr. Dominic Ayine, as a knee jerk reaction to genuine concerns raised by well-meaning Ghanaians on the attempt by the NDC Government to white wash the crimes of persons who served in the NDC government and as far as the law would allow, clothe them with perpetual immunity from being prosecuted for offences committed against the Republic of Ghana. The posture adopted by the Hon. A-G threatens to undermine Ghana’s democratic and good governance structures. I am however reassured by the fact that Ghanaians are discerning enough to discover the illegitimate motives for the discontinuance of the cases in question. The President, through his Attorney-General, has in a spectacular fashion, become the clearing agent to indemnify their allies who have duly been put before the courts for commission of crimes.

God bless us all!!!!

GODFRED YEBOAH DAME

IMMEDIATE PAST ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND MINISTER FOR JUSTICE

14/02/2025

Mr. Dame said the decision was preconceived and orchestrated to whitewash corrupt officials of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

This comes after Dr. Ayine stated that he could not, in good conscience, continue with the prosecutions because some of the cases lacked merit and were politically motivated.

However, at a press conference on Friday, Mr. Dame disagreed.

He predicted that more cases would be discontinued by the Attorney General in the coming days, arguing that it was part of a calculated move by the NDC to clear its officials standing trial.

Mr. Dame stressed that the New Patriotic Party (NPP), in its governance under former Presidents John Kufuor and Nana Akufo-Addo, never discontinued any cases involving former appointees standing trial.

Instead, he noted, they allowed the courts to rule on such matters, which eventually led to the acquittal of those officials.

According to him, the Attorney General’s actions are unprecedented, adding that Dr. Ayine’s press conference was fraught with lies and unwarranted personal attacks on him.

ALSO READ:

• I couldn’t in good conscience continue some of the cases – Dr. Ayine

• I take full responsibility; Mahama didn’t direct me to drop cases – Attorney General

Speaking to Joy FM, the Attorney General emphasised the importance of peace, especially in the aftermath of the 2024 General Election.

“At Christmas, it is my wish that the peace of Christ would indeed permeate every home and resonate in the minds and hearts of the people,” Mr Dame said.

He acknowledged the nation’s progress in maintaining a stable democracy, noting that while elections have largely been peaceful, they have occasionally been marred by incidents of violence.

“We must recognise that what binds us as a people is greater than the few things that divide us,” he remarked.

The Attorney General urged Ghanaians to approach post-election matters with respect for the rule of law and a commitment to preserving peace.

“I pray that we, as a people, will once again demonstrate our tenacity and responsibility for peace by ensuring that all post-election matters are resolved on balance and in law,” he stated.

Reflecting on Ghana’s democratic journey, Mr Dame expressed pride in the strides the nation has made.

“Democracy is a gift that many nations are still struggling to achieve. It is a system we have embraced as a way of life, and we should take pride in what we have achieved,” he said.

He encouraged citizens to cherish the stability that democracy provides, calling it a legacy worth preserving for future generations.

“We have determined for ourselves a leader for the next four years, and it is essential that we resolve any disputes peacefully to further consolidate our democracy,” he added.

As the festive season unfolds, the Attorney General reminded Ghanaians of the significance of unity and peace in nation-building.

“Let us ensure that the spirit of Christmas—peace, love, and togetherness—guides our actions in the coming days and beyond,” he concluded.

He stated that no person, not even the President, is above the Constitution.

Referencing Article 1, he declared, “Sovereignty resides in the people of Ghana, and the Constitution is the supreme law of Ghana.”

He stated that all procedures and actions by institutions in Ghana must align with the Constitution, warning that deviations would be deemed unconstitutional.

Godfred Dame encouraged the legal fraternity to uphold judicial independence, urging the General Legal Council to act against lawyers who, in pursuit of “cheap political points,” denigrate the judiciary.

“The privilege to practise law comes with a moral and legal duty to uphold the dignity of the profession,” he stated.

“It is non-negotiable,” he concluded, underscoring the Constitution’s unyielding role in governance.

He stated that their actions went beyond the limits of free expression and posed a threat to public safety.

Speaking at the Annual Conference of the Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana (AMJG) on Wednesday, Mr Dame cited international examples of how democracies deal with protestors who cross the line into unlawful behaviour, urging Ghana to follow suit in maintaining national peace and security, especially ahead of the 2024 elections.

While acknowledging the right to freedom of expression, Mr. Dame emphasized that this right must be exercised responsibly and within the confines of the law.

“As I always say, freedom is not free. It is accompanied by serious responsibilities,” he stated.

Referring to the recent protests organized by the Democracy Hub, which led to clashes with security forces, Mr Dame argued that such actions threatened the nation’s peace and territorial integrity.

The Attorney General cited instances from the United Kingdom and the United States where protestors who engaged in unlawful activities, such as blocking essential services or inciting violence, faced the full force of the law.

He pointed to the sentencing of five climate activists in the UK who caused a motorway gridlock and were jailed for up to five years.

Similarly, he mentioned the prosecution of far-right rioters in the UK and anti-abortion activists in the US who violated public order under the guise of peaceful protest.

“The lesson to be drawn from the treatment of unlawful or violent expression of free speech in the United States and the United Kingdom is that the legitimacy of the declared object of specific protests does not matter,” Mr. Dame said.

“Whilst acknowledging the legitimacy of concerns which motivate some protests, the State must deplore and, in fact, prosecute acts of protestors which threaten the running of essential services, infringe on the right to free movement of others, or attack the safety of security forces.”

The Attorney General stressed that such actions have no place in Ghana’s democracy, particularly with the general elections approaching.

He called on the Judiciary to support law enforcement officers by dealing firmly with acts of violence and lawlessness, especially in the lead-up to the elections.

“Protests that disrupt the lives of ordinary citizens, attack the police, or threaten essential services cannot be justified under the banner of free expression,” Mr. Dame declared.

“The peace and territorial integrity of our nation at this time, almost two months before Election 2024, is far greater than the pursuit of any parochial political goals.”

In addressing concerns about the prosecution of Democracy Hub members, Mr Dame revealed that he had instructed the Police Service to expedite investigations and advised prosecutors to consider relevant bail applications for protestors against whom insufficient evidence is found.

“I urge the Police Service to swiftly conclude investigations by the next adjourned dates of the cases involving the prosecution of excesses from recent protests in Accra,” he stated.

Source: Abubakar Ibrahim

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Speaking at the International Bar Association’s annual conference in Mexico City on Thursday, Dame stressed the growing impact of arbitration on African economies due to the rapidly evolving business landscape and the increasing use of alternative dispute resolution clauses in commercial agreements.

Godfred Dame expressed concern about the potential for abuse within the arbitration system, citing the secrecy of proceedings and the finality of awards as contributing factors.

He noted that this framework has led to some questionable outcomes for African countries.

“For all its touted advantages, the nature of arbitration, especially its secrecy and finality, can become an unwitting vehicle for fraud and abuse against the people of Africa,” he stated.

He highlighted instances where companies that failed to substantiate claims in African courts were able to secure substantial awards in international arbitration.

Godfred Dame also pointed out the financial burden imposed on African nations by arbitration proceedings held outside the continent, usually in places like London, Paris, or New York, even when the disputes involved African parties.

This not only limits the opportunities for African arbitrators but also stifles the development of Africa’s arbitration capacity.

One notable example cited by the AG was the 2023 case involving the Government of Nigeria and Process & Industrial Development Limited (P&ID), which resulted in a $11 billion arbitration award against Nigeria before being set aside by the London High Court.

Godfred Dame said such cases highlight the prejudice African nations often face in international arbitration forums.

“While international arbitration promises neutrality and efficiency, African countries have frequently been on the losing end of unjust and biased rulings,” he said.

He added that Africa must work towards creating a justice system that ensures transparency, fairness, and the rule of law.

Despite these challenges, Godfred Dame did not advocate for Africa to distance itself from international arbitration but rather to reform how it is conducted on the continent.

He called for stronger safeguards in commercial disputes involving African states, especially given the high stakes and the vulnerability of state funds.

The AG stated the need for arbitration to take place in Africa, under African legal frameworks, in cases where African nations are involved.

Ghana, Godfred Dame noted, is already taking steps to address this by reforming its arbitration framework.

The country is amending the State (Property and Contracts) Act of 1960 to mandate that all contracts involving the state stipulate Ghanaian law as the governing law and Ghana as the seat of arbitration.

This would eliminate the need for costly arbitration processes in foreign jurisdictions and ensure that such cases are handled domestically.

Removing Global Regulatory Barriers:

Godfred Dame further urged global leaders, particularly those overseeing the legal profession, to rethink the rules governing cross-border legal practice.

In today’s interconnected world, he argued, law practice has become inherently international, making it essential for African lawyers to meet global standards and participate in resolving disputes with cross-border implications.

“We must remove licensing barriers that limit lawyers’ ability to appear in jurisdictions outside where they were trained,” Godfred Dame said.

He acknowledged the challenges posed by different legal systems and professional standards across countries but suggested that international legal practice has already laid the groundwork for such changes.

Godfred Dame highlighted the incongruity of allowing state counsel to represent nations in international arbitration proceedings without a specific license but then barring them from appearing in domestic courts of the same jurisdictions.

He called for the removal of such barriers to allow lawyers to practice across borders, particularly in disputes involving nations.

Impact of AfCFTA on Law Practice:

Turning to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the AG highlighted the importance of the regional integration initiative for African lawyers.

AfCFTA, which aims to connect 1.3 billion people and create a $3.4 trillion economic bloc, has established a Dispute Settlement Body to address trade disputes between member states.

Godfred Dame noted that while AfCFTA offers tremendous opportunities, it also raises questions about potential conflicts between its dispute resolution mechanisms and those of individual countries.

He highlighted the need for African lawyers to actively support AfCFTA’s work and ensure the success of its dispute settlement body.

“I urge you all to support AfCFTA, particularly in ensuring that the dispute settlement body succeeds,” Godfred Dame said.

He called for deliberate efforts to train African lawyers in handling the complexities of regional trade disputes and promoting the benefits of regional integration.

The Attorney General reiterated the need for Africa to embrace legal reforms in arbitration and cross-border practice to ensure that the continent can fully benefit from globalisation while protecting its sovereignty.

By doing so, Africa can not only develop its legal expertise but also foster a fairer and more transparent business environment for its people, he stated.

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Speaking at the Annual Bar Conference in Kumasi on Monday, he stressed the importance of open access to court proceedings and the necessity of a strong, unified Bar to support the nation’s democratic framework.

“Fundamental to democracy and preservation of the rule of law is the organization of free and fair elections,” Mr Dame stated.

He stated that, the Electoral Commission (EC) must fulfil its constitutional duty to provide a credible and fair electoral process, noting that the “centrality of elections to democracy” cannot be understated.

AG Dame quoted former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who once said, “Ghana has thrived under democracy since it was reintroduced [under the Fourth Republic], and our society, as well as our economy, has thrived as a result.”

He stressed that despite Ghana’s progress in democratic governance, the country must not take its achievements for granted. “We must resist the vain efforts of naysayers who constantly sow seeds of doubt about the credibility of Ghanaian elections,” he argued.

Calling for open justice, the Attorney General pointed to recent efforts to enhance public access to the courts.

“Our Judiciary must embrace the concept of open justice by publishing and explaining decisions and by allowing access to the courts – in person and through broadcasts,” Dame said.

He highlighted his role in promoting transparency, stating, “As Attorney-General, I have led in this quest of ensuring open justice in Ghana as a way of dispelling misconceptions, misinterpretations, and misrepresentations of court decisions.”

Godfred Dame acknowledged that the challenges facing Ghana’s electoral system extend beyond the polling day itself.

“An election is a process,” he noted, listing various components including voter registration, boundary demarcation, ballot distribution, and the announcement of results.

He reaffirmed his confidence in the Electoral Commission’s handling of these processes, saying, “So far, I have not noticed anything untoward about the Electoral Commission’s handling of the process.”

The Attorney General also addressed the role of the legal profession in sustaining democracy, urging lawyers to use their platforms responsibly.

He cautioned against the spread of false information by members of the Bar, stating, “The spread of false information by lawyers and disregard for the cherished values of the legal profession, apart from being disreputable, poses a far greater threat to cohesion in society.”

Dame highlighted the vital role of the Judiciary in the democratic process, particularly in adjudicating election-related disputes.

“Judges are often called upon to make decisions on some of the most difficult questions arising from the conduct of elections,” he said, urging support for the Judiciary’s independence and integrity.

As he concluded his speech, Mr Dame made a strong call for unity within the legal profession, stressing the importance of maintaining a “strong Bar Association” and encouraging full participation from all members.

He stated, “A fragmented bar is not in the interests of the Bar itself. Neither is it for society.”

Source: Myjoyonline.com

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The Minister said this at the Ghana Bar Association Conference in Kumasi on Monday, September 9, to highlight the government’s efforts to clamp down on the galamsey menace.

Despite legal and procedural challenges, he noted that significant progress has been made in prosecuting illegal miners.

“From August 2021 to date, at least 76 individuals, including 18 foreigners, have been convicted. Among them is the notorious Chinese galamsey queen, Aisha Huang, who was convicted on December 4, 2023, for offences committed between 2014 and 2016 during the previous government’s tenure,” Mr Dame disclosed.

He added that most of these convicts were sentenced under the new law, Act 995, which imposes a minimum sentence of 15 years and heavy fines for non-Ghanaian offenders. Foreigners found guilty now face a minimum of 50 years in prison, while Ghanaians involved in illegal mining face a minimum of 20 years behind bars.

Mr Dame further disclosed that over 140 cases of illegal mining, involving more than 850 accused persons, are currently being prosecuted in courts across the Western, Eastern, Ashanti, Greater Accra, and Upper East regions.

He assured that several of these cases are close to conclusion.

Reflecting on the broader legal framework, Mr Dame praised the often-overlooked work of the Legislative Drafting Division within the Attorney-General’s Office. “They are the unsung heroes—a disciplined and meticulous team of lawyers who are crucial to the smooth functioning of our government. Without their efforts, the legislative arm could not operate effectively,” he said.

He lauded their efforts in advancing law reforms, particularly in both civil and criminal law. Since 2021, the division has drafted approximately 60 Acts of Parliament and countless subsidiary laws, ensuring that Ghana’s legal system remains robust and responsive.

Addressing concerns about the working conditions of state attorneys, Mr Dame shared that his inspections of various offices under the Ministry of Justice revealed significant challenges, including poor infrastructure and a lack of basic tools necessary for effective service delivery.

“In February 2022, following directives from the President and the Minister of Finance, funds were allocated to improve the ministry’s operations,” he explained. “As part of these efforts, I facilitated the purchase of 91 vehicles, representing the largest fleet ever acquired for the ministry.”

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Speaking at the 2024/2025 Annual General Conference of the Ghana Bar Association in Kumasi, Mr Dame spoke about how serving as Attorney General in a government’s second term can be particularly challenging, often involving the management of contentious policies from the previous term.

He described how addressing these challenges and advising fellow ministers has sometimes been overwhelming. Dame cited the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme and the COVID-19 pandemic as pivotal moments when he provided crucial legal advice to the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Health.

“The task of being an Attorney General in the second term of a government is not an easy one. It involves coming in at a time when the government has implemented a set of policies in its first term and made some tough decisions that may not be popular with the people.

“As the Attorney General, it involves making yourself unpopular by telling your colleague ministers that they cannot pursue certain legislation and policies which although in the national interest, may not be compatible with the law.

“I remember the painful advice I gave to the Finance Minister on the domestic debt restructuring at the difficult time of the nation as well as the Health Minister, perhaps, at a more difficult time in the history of our nation.”

Despite these trials, Mr Dame affirmed his determination to navigate the complexities of his office and leverage the law to contribute to Ghana’s progress.

“However, I have braved the challenges of the office and remained undaunted because I love the law and I love utilising the law as an instrument for the developing Ghanaian society.”

Source: Mavis Sekyibea Addo

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This announcement comes amid growing concerns about the destructive impact of galamsey on the country’s water bodies and forest reserves.

Speaking at the 2024/2025 Annual General Conference of the Ghana Bar Association, Mr Dame disclosed that, 140 cases of illegal mining are under investigation across five regions: Western, Eastern, Ashanti, Greater Accra, and Upper East.

He acknowledged the challenges prosecutors face in court but noted significant progress, with 76 convictions secured since August 2021. Among these is the notorious Chinese galamsey queen, Aisha Huang, convicted on December 4, 2023, for offenses committed between 2014 and 2016.

Mr Dame emphasized the government’s commitment to eradicating the galamsey menace by imposing severe penalties, including a minimum sentence of 15 years and heavy fines for non-Ghanaians.

He also highlighted that some cases are nearing conclusion and expressed confidence in the judiciary’s continued role in the fight against illegal mining.

“Illegal mining continues to wreak havoc on our forest reserves and water bodies. Despite the challenges faced in court, the criminal division has made notable progress, although more work remains.

“Since August 2021, at least 76 individuals, including 18 foreigners, have been convicted. These include the infamous Chinese galamsey queen, Aisha Huang, who was sentenced under the new law, Act 995, to a minimum of 15 years with a hefty fine for non-Ghanaians, while Ghanaians face a minimum of 20 years and a fine.

“Currently, over 140 cases involving more than 850 accused persons are being prosecuted in the Western, Eastern, Ashanti, Greater Accra, and Upper East regions, with some nearing resolution.”

Source: Adomonline

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“We must be bold in terms of propagating all the achievements we have chalked up in the past eight years, and also preach our campaign messages for the good people of Ghana,” he said.

Mr Dame was speaking to some journalists in Sunyani after he donated motorbikes and T-shirts to the Bono Regional NPP to support its campaign.

“Each executive and member of the party must be bold enough to tell the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the citizens what the party has done so that the people of Ghana can vote wisely,” he said.

As part of the presentation, he had a closed-door meeting with the 12 parliamentary candidates of the party, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs), regional executives and constituency chairmen.

Mr Dame explained that it was a good decision taken by the party to go to the 16 regions to exhibit the achievements of the party.

Target, confident

He said the party in the region was targeting eight of the 12 parliamentary seats in the December 2024 general election.

“My minimum target is eight seats and I’m confident and sure that we will get about eight seats in the December 2024 general election,” he said.

In the 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections, the NPP and NDC shared 12 seats, with both parties winning six seats each.

Mr Dame said he was confident that the party would break the eight, explaining that the party’s message was clear compared to the NDC message, “which cannot be seen”.

He said the NDC had no clear message, explaining the NDC was still struggling to explain how their main campaign message, “24-hour Economy”, would be implemented.

Mr Dame said the NPP had resolved all the internal issues or divisions that occurred during the party primaries.

“I’m happy to note that all the divisions in the party have been ironed out. There is unity in the party now. The party is united and stronger to break the eight,” he said.

He urged government appointees to equally pay attention and contribute meaningfully to the work of the party.

Source: Graphic.com.gh

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The plaintiff contends that the Service has failed to promote him despite meeting all the necessary requirements for such a promotion.

According to ACP Amevenku, he has been unfairly treated, as there has been no viable reason for his lack of promotion, even though he has petitioned the hierarchy, including the Police Council, to no avail.

In the lawsuit filed on July 30, the officer explained that in January 2022, he was overlooked despite being among officers who were due for a promotion after having served for more than four years at the rank of ACP.

“Plaintiff avers further that subsequent to the aforementioned promotions, some more Assistant Commissioners junior to the plaintiff, and even members of the Cadet Course 35, junior to the plaintiff’s Cadet Course, have been elevated to the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police while the Plaintiff has remained in the same position.”

Mr. Ibrahim’s comments come after the Court of Appeal acquitted and discharged Dr. Forson on Tuesday, July 30, overturning the trial court’s order for him to present his defense and upholding his appeal of no case.

In response to the court’s ruling, Mr. Dame announced his intention to challenge the verdict, arguing that it undermines the fight against impunity and the rule of law.

However, speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme, Friday, the NDC MP said the Attorney General’s action is a disgrace to the profession.

“It is disgraceful for an Attorney General to behave in this manner. He should be called ‘Attorney Coach’ rather than ‘Attorney General’ because coaching someone to implicate another is unlawful” Mr. Ibrahim fumed.

He also criticized Mr. Dame for allegedly trying to influence Richard Jakpa, the third accused to implicate Dr. Forson.

“The AG’s attempt to influence the process is shocking and unbecoming of his position. It’s clear that he has disgraced himself” he added.

Mr. Ibrahim indicated that, Godred Dame’s actions are unacceptable and detrimental to the legal profession.

Play attached audio for more

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This comes after his recent escapades including but not limited to evidence tampering, alleged planned perjury amongst other unknown but possible infractions.

His shambolic pursuit of the ‘Ambulance Procurement Trial’ is embarrassing.

A total waste of state resources; time and money. A number of legal practitioners and academics have called for his resignation or sacking by the president. Notable amongst them include Kwaku Ansa-Asare, Esq., former Director of Legal Education, Prof. Kwaku Asare, Center for Democratic Development (CDD) fellow and Martin Kpebu, Esq., legal practitioner and commentator.

The much publicised ‘Ambulance Procurement Trial’ moved from the focal point of charging the accused persons for wilfully causing financial loss to the state to digging into the past of the third accused person, Mr. Richard Jakpa.

This development arose after it came to light that Mr. Dame had clandestinely met with Mr. Jakpa at the residence of a sitting Supreme Court Judge, Justice Yonny Kulendi.

This said meeting led to the release of an audio recording which Mr. Dame was heard interacting and seemingly negotiating with Mr. Jakpa to aid him implicate Mr. Ato Forson.

Prior to the hearing on 29^th July, 2024, the released letter presented and tendered in evidence by the Attorney-General, Godfred Dame had cited ‘misconduct’ as a reason why the third accused was released from the armed forces.

This comes weeks after a widely circulated letter asserted that the third accused, Mr. Jakpa, was dismissed from the GAF based on persistent offenses and acts of misconduct. It was revealed at an Accra High Court in the recent hearing when the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lt. Gen.

Thomas Oppong-Peprah took the witness stand to testify following a subpoena by Mr. Jakpa who is not a walkover. During the cross-examination of the CDS, his lawyer asked the military whether misconduct was a basis, to which he responded that it was not.

The background of the case entails Mr. Cassiel Ato Forson and Mr. Richard Jakpa, first and third accused persons respectively, accused of causing a financial loss of €2.37 million to the state in a deal to purchase 200 ambulances for the country between 2014 and 2016.

They have pleaded not guilty to counts of wilfully causing financial loss to the state, abetment to wilfully causing financial loss to the state, contravention of the Public Procurement Act and intentionally misapplying public property. Mr. Dame is generally a good lawyer; however, he lost his legal compass whilst executing the task of his paymasters.

Mr Gyamfi’s remarks follow the Court of Appeal’s decision to acquit and discharge Dr Forson on Tuesday, July 30, overturning the trial court’s order for him to present his defence and upholding his appeal of no case.

In response to the court’s ruling, Mr. Dame announced his intention to challenge the verdict, asserting that it undermines the fight against impunity and the rule of law.

In an interview on Citi FM, Mr Gyamfi accused the AG of prioritizing political agendas over justice.

He said Mr. Dame is the “worst Attorney General” in Ghana’s history, emphasizing that it was “disgraceful” for the Attorney General to be cautioned by the trial court to stay away from the case he was prosecuting.

“To further prove the malice of Godfred Dame in this whole matter is the fact that he didn’t have the decency and the patience to wait for the ruling of the Court of Appeal before issuing that ‘useless’ press statement. So at the time, he was describing the decision as inimical to the national interest, he didn’t even have the benefit of reasoning that went into the court of appeal’s decision.”

“So this is clearly a man who is hell-bent, he’s not interested in achieving justice, he’s just interested in oppressing, intimidating, harassing, victimising political opponents for cheap political goal story and that’s why God has exposed him.

“He’s the worst attorney general in the history of this country. The first Attorney General to be cautioned or advised by a trial court to stay away from a matter that he’s prosecuting, that’s how disgraceful Godfred Dame has been reduced to,” he said.

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Mr Mahama accused Dame of behaving more like a legal representative for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) rather than fulfilling his duties impartially as Minister of Justice and Attorney-General.

In an interview with TV3 on Tuesday, July 30, following the Court of Appeal’s decision to acquit and discharge the accused in the ambulance procurement case, the former President remarked that the AG’s credibility is severely damaged.

Mr Mahama referred to a leaked phone conversation between the AG and one of the then-accused persons, Richard Jakpa, in which the AG allegedly sought to engage in witness tampering to jail the Minority Leader at all costs.

He assured that if elected in the upcoming election, his administration would ensure that the Office of the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice focuses on accountability rather than engaging in political witch-hunts.

Mr Mahama expressed his concerns about the current AG’s conduct and his commitment to restoring integrity and impartiality to the justice system if he returns to office.

“I think that this Attorney-General has been discredited enough, anywhere in the world, with the things we have seen, the coaching of witnesses, and discussions with witnesses, this prosecution would have been struck out as malicious prosecution.”

“I believe this prosecution is malicious. He is not as robust and energetic in pursuing other cases. Even as we speak, there is an ambulance case involving this present administration which is hugely larger than what he is prosecuting, and yet he has no interest in that.”

“He is like a legal representative of the NPP party, over-enthusiastic in pursuing political opponents. I have said that when we come it will be the reverse. We will pursue accountability for the regime that has gone out but at the same time if any of our people are involved in the same things that have happened, we are prosecuting the previous government, and we will prosecute them too.”

“So I think that the A-G is also the Minister of Justice, he forgets that and thinks he is just the A-G. The Minister of Justice is supposed to ensure fairness. Anywhere else in this world, this case would have ended, he would never even have come to court,” he said.

He expressed firm confidence in Dr. Forson’s innocence and criticized the AG’s credibility in speaking at the event.

Tameklo accused the AG, Godfred Yeboah Dame, of persecuting Dr. Forson, who serves as the Minority Leader in Parliament.

He recounted how the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) had initially instructed them to take the police statement home and return with it completed, indicating that there was no wrongdoing from the beginning.

The lawyer emphasized that Dr. Forson’s opposition to the government’s Electronic Levy Bill in 2019 made him a target for persecution.

He pointed out that this stance has led to the current legal challenges faced by the Minority Leader.

In an interview with JoyNews on Tuesday, Tameklo stated that due to his conduct, the AG is not fit to address the 2024 Ghana Bar Conference.

He believes that the actions of the AG have compromised his integrity and suitability for such a role.

“When the Attorney-General goes to the point of meeting an accused person and first of all, anybody that has criminal charges against him, he is deemed vulnerable and especially with the counts that can get you 10 years in imprisonment, you are dealing with a vulnerable person and per the professional etiquette rules you are not permitted to deal with an accused person when that accused person is represented by a lawyer directly, you deal with him through his lawyer because of the vulnerable position he finds himself in.”

“On April 9, 2024, the AG placed a call to Jakpa at 7:am telling him to go and secure a medical excuse report and present it to a trial judge as though he was sick when you are not. I want to submit that at this year’s Ghana Bar Conference, the Attorney-General is not worthy to speak to lawyers,” he said.

Background

On Tuesday, the Court of Appeal, in a 2:1 decision, acquitted and discharged Dr Ato Forson and Richard Jakpa in the ambulance case.

The ruling overturned a trial court order requiring them to present their defence for allegedly causing a financial loss of €2.37 million to the state in procuring ambulances for the government.

While Justice Alex Poku Acheampong dissented, Justices Kweku Tawiah Ackah-Boafo and Philip Bright Mensah ruled in favour of the accused.

Following the ruling, AG Godfred Dame issued a statement criticising the decision as perverse and contrary to the substantial evidence presented by the prosecution.

He argued that the decision undermines public accountability and the rule of law.

This decision, delivered on Tuesday, July 30, also acquitted Richard Jakpa, the third accused in the case.

The 2:1 ruling overturned the previous order from the trial court, which had required Dr. Ato Forson and Mr. Jakpa to present their defense.

In a social media post, Dr. Ato Forson thanked God for his victory and quoted Romans 9:14: “What, then, shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all!”

The charges against Dr. Ato Forson and Mr. Jakpa involved allegations of causing a financial loss of €2.37 million to the State in a deal to procure ambulances for the Government of Ghana.

The Court of Appeal’s decision overturned the directive from Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe of the trial court, which had dismissed Dr. Ato Forson’s submission of no case and ordered him to open his defense.

Ambulance case: Ato Forson acquitted and discharged

Dr. Ato Forson had argued that there was no case for him to answer, but this submission was initially rejected by the trial judge.

Mr. Jakpa also submitted a no-case plea, which was similarly rejected, leading him to call several witnesses in his defense.

With the Court of Appeal’s ruling, Dr. Ato Forson is no longer required to open his defense in the ongoing trial, marking a significant development in the case.

The allegations against Dr. Ato Forson and Richard Jakpa, who represents Big Sea, stem from a deal to purchase 200 ambulances for Ghana between 2014 and 2016, which allegedly caused a financial loss of €2.37 million to the State.

The trial at the High Court is set to resume Tuesday afternoon, where the decision of the Court of Appeal will be officially presented.

Meanwhile, the Attorney General has announced plans to appeal the Court of Appeal’s ruling.

Ambulance trial: AG vows to appeal against ‘erroneous decision’

That meeting, according to the state, was however not arranged, and Richard Jakpa coincidentally “only appeared” at the judge’s residence when the Attorney General was visiting.

Thursday’s affirmation was the first time the Prosecution had confirmed what Richard Jakpa has on some occasions said during cross-examination in the ongoing trial, that he met Godfred Yeboah Dame at Justice Yonny Kulendi’s house on several occasions.

The affirmation of the Attorney General’s meeting with Richard Jakpa was couched in a question put to the 3rd accused person by the Director of public prosecution, Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa.

The question put to Richard Jakpa was that “he (Richard Jakpa) only appeared at Justice Kulendi’s house when the Attorney General was there”.

Richard Jakpa in response said “It is not true that I appeared at my cousin’s house that day and met the Attorney General. In fact, the one who ambushed me on 25th March 2024 at around 12 midnight, was the Attorney General in my cousin’s house”an angry Jakpa told the court on Thursday, June 20.

Prosecution further contended and put to Richard Jakpa that “The Attorney General never arranged the meeting and that it is false and a figment of your imagination”.

In his answer, Richard Jakpa described the prosecution’s claim as false.

“It is false”he said. He further explained that “All that I have explained was what took place when he (Attorney General) arranged and we had that meeting that night. Even though I had prior to that day spoken with him on Justice Kulendi’s phone when I was securing my bail” Richard Jakpa told the court.

The prosecution further suggested to the 3rd accused that there is nowhere on the WhatsApp chats between him and Attorney General, that shows the Attorney General arranged that meeting.

Richard Jakpa, who is standing trial together with the Minority leader of Parliament Dr Casel Ato Forson, for willfully causing financial loss to the state in processes leading up to the purchase of some ambulances for the state to the tune of 2.3 million Euros in his response said, he asked for a meeting with the Attorney General and not an arrangement.

He further contended that “the Attorney General had the opportunity to decline my request for a private meeting, knowing very well that his legal profession does not allow for him to arrange for a meeting with me”.

That response by the 3rd accused created an altercation between the trial judge and lawyer for Richard Jakpa, Thaddeus Sory who disagreed on the manner in which the 3rd accused was answering questions put to him by the prosecution. When everyone calmed down after the heated exchange, the 3rd accused continued from where he left off and said, “The Attorney General did not say he would arrange it through me, but through my cousin. My cousin called me that I should come home because the Attorney General said he was going to have a meeting with me. And because the Attorney General had earlier sent me this WhatsApp message that “I will arrange between your brother. Thanks,” the time of the meeting was between my cousin and the Attorney General.”

According to Richard Jakpa, Godfred Yeboah Dame put into action the text message he had sent to him to meet him at Justice Kulendi’s house, where he felt comfortable.

The prosecution will continue to cross-examine the 3rd accused next week, but it is unclear if it will be on Tuesday or on Thursday.

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Mr Jakpa made this statement during his testimony on Thursday, June 20, adding another layer of intrigue to the high-profile case.

According to Mr Jakpa, the meeting took place at the residence of Supreme Court Judge Justice Yonny Kulendi, who is also his cousin.

The businessman explained that the Attorney-General preferred this location for their discussions, as it provided a familiar and secure environment.

Mr Jakpa disclosed that the purpose of the meeting was to introduce himself to the Attorney General before the trial began.

He acknowledged that he obtained Mr Dame’s contact information through Justice Kulendi, facilitating their communication.

During cross-examination, Jakpa also addressed the issue of WhatsApp messages exchanged between him and the Attorney-General, claiming that the submitted messages were not in their original form and had been tampered with.

He argued that the alterations misrepresented his communications, further complicating the trial.

The court had earlier admitted 68 WhatsApp messages as evidence, with the presiding judge, Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe, noting that the court reserves the right to determine the weight of this evidence.

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Mr. Jakpa made this disclosure during his testimony on Thursday, June 13, while being cross-examined by the legal team of Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the first accused in the case.

Mr Jakpa stated that these meetings occurred at night, suggesting a level of secrecy and urgency in their discussions.

He described the interactions as significant, as they shaped his understanding of his role and the direction of the case.

According to Mr Jakpa, during these late-night meetings, Mr Dame assured him that he was not the primary target of the prosecution.

He recounted that the Attorney General emphasised that the main focus of the case was on Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.

This assurance, Mr Jakpa claimed, influenced his decision to cooperate fully with the Attorney General’s office, including sharing crucial documents and information.

The 3rd accused added that he was led to believe he would be discharged at the submission of no case, which reinforced his willingness to assist.

The businessman further testified that as a result of these assurances, he was provided with the addendum to the main contract between the Government of Ghana and Big Sea even before the prosecution had officially closed its case.

This document, he asserted, played a critical role in the proceedings and his involvement in the case.

The revelations made by Jakpa during his cross-examination have added a new dimension to the ongoing trial, highlighting the interactions between the accused and the Attorney General.

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This new facility will house several government offices, including those of the Attorney General and the Ministry of Justice.

During the inauguration, President Nana Akufo-Addo praised Attorney General Godfred  Yeboah Dame for his dedication and hard work in modernising Ghana’s legal system.

The President highlighted Dame’s crucial role in completing this long-delayed project, which had been stalled for over two decades since it was initiated during John Kufuor’s administration.

Despite numerous challenges, Dame’s leadership and vision drove the project’s completion, reflecting the government’s commitment to improving Ghana’s legal infrastructure.

Addressing criticism from former President John Mahama, who had called him a “clearing agent,” President Akufo-Addo firmly stated his dedication to upholding the rule of law.

He emphasised that allegations alone are not enough for judgment, promising to ensure due process and justice for all.

Attorney General Dame discussed the obstacles facing Ghana’s justice system, particularly the lack of essential infrastructure and the need for a robust digital system.

He stressed the importance of the new Law House in boosting the efficiency and morale of the Ministry of Justice and the Office of the Attorney General.

The new building includes various facilities such as offices, parking lots, dining areas, libraries, conference rooms, and accommodations for lactating mothers, designed to meet diverse needs.

Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo also praised Attorney General Dame for his efforts in strengthening the judicial system.

She commended his role in the construction of over 100 new courthouses nationwide, enhancing access to justice and supporting democracy.

He praised the Attorney General for his relentless efforts in ensuring the project’s completion, despite numerous challenges.

The project had faced delays for almost 23 years, but it was successfully completed under the current Attorney General’s regime.

The Law House Building Complex is a modern 12-storey office building designed for the office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice.

It offers ample office space, parking facilities, a library, conference rooms, and a courtroom to enhance the efficiency of the Judiciary.

During the inauguration ceremony in Accra, President Akufo-Addo emphasized the importance of a fair legal system in promoting economic growth, democracy, and human rights.

He sees the Law House Building Complex as a symbol of the government’s commitment to modernizing the country’s judicial infrastructure.

Godfred Dame also expressed his gratitude to the President for his support and vision in making the project a reality.

He believes the new facility will improve their efficiency and productivity.

According to Mr Dame, the lack of basic tools and resources has hindered the ministry’s ability to serve the nation effectively.

The contractor, Mustek’s Michael Zormelo, praised the Attorney General’s commitment to perfection and timely execution.

The inauguration was attended by dignitaries from the legal profession, including the Chief Justice, judges, lawyers, Deputy Attorneys General, and other stakeholders.

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This move aims to phase out the current practice where state attorneys operate from makeshift structures or within the office complexes of other state institutions.

Speaking at the commissioning of a new ten-storey office building for the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice, Godfred Dame emphasized his vision for a modern legal system.

He highlighted that, it is time for regional offices to cease perching in corners of buildings belonging to other government entities or being evicted from premises.

“Towards realising the dream of a modern public legal service, I dare say that the era where regional offices of the attorney general and the minister for justices and other agencies of the ministry perch in the corner of buildings belonging to other government institutions or are sometimes thrown out of premises in which their licensees should be over soon.

“I am of the respectful view that every regional office of the ministry of justice ought to own at least a three-storey edifice and I have commenced discussions in this regard with the World Bank towards the possibility of funding for this project,” he stated.

The Attorney General also said the new ten storeys new Law House serves as a model for the efficient use of public lands.

It will accommodate the three main divisions of the Attorney General’s office: the Civil Division, the Prosecution Division, and the Legislative Drafting Division.

In addition to numerous offices for state attorneys, the building includes a large conference room available for occasional use by the Ghana Bar Association.

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On Thursday, June 6, 2024, the presiding judge in the ambulance trial, Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, advised Mr. Dame to recuse himself from prosecuting the case, ruling on the application for mistrial filed by former Deputy Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, and Richard Jakpa.

However, Mr. Dame has announced his determination to continue leading the prosecution in the case in which the Minority Leader, along with another individual, are facing charges for causing financial loss to the state.

But speaking on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem, on Friday, June 7, 2024, Mr. Kpebu expressed his disapproval of Mr. Dame’s decision to continue the prosecution despite the judge’s advice.

“For the AG to still go ahead to prosecute the matter after the judge’s advice means he has disregarded the judge and shown no respect. What happened was an injustice. You can’t disregard the judge. Stop right there, else you are disregarding the judge” he said.

Mr. Kpebu further suggested that, the AG should have resigned, considering how he was implicated in the alleged tape.

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This decision follows numerous applications filed by the first accused, Dr. Forson, and the third accused, Richard Jakpa.

The applications sought several orders, including an inquiry into the Attorney-General’s conduct based on Jakpa’s claims that the Attorney-General had been contacting him at odd hours.

They also requested a mistrial to terminate the case, a stay of proceedings until the applications were determined, and a motion to strike out charges against Jakpa.

Dr. Ato Forson, the Minority Leader and former Deputy Finance Minister, filed three of these motions, while the last one was filed by Jakpa.

Both are on trial for allegedly causing a financial loss of €2.37 million to the state through a contract to purchase 200 ambulances for the Ministry of Health, among other charges.

Despite the court declining jurisdiction to order an inquiry and declare a mistrial based on prosecutorial misconduct, it directed Dr. Ato Forson to seek redress from the General Legal Council if he wished to pursue the matter further.

Additionally, the court admitted a telephone recording between Jakpa and the Attorney-General as evidence, overruling the Attorney-General’s objections regarding its admissibility.

This ruling is unprecedented, marking the first time a Ghanaian court has directed an Attorney-General to recuse himself from a trial due to misconduct allegations.

Ato Forson, Minority Leader in Parliament and first accused in the ambulance procurement case, wants the AG’s conduct probed following an allegation by the third accused in the case, Richard Jakpa, that the AG had been trying to recruit him to aid his (Dr. Forson’s) prosecution.

And apart from the order to inquire into the AG’s conduct, Ato Forson is also seeking an order of mistrial, an injunction and/or stay of proceedings in the criminal case.

But the Attorney-General says the application is “unfounded, unmeritorious and unknown to the law”, and that “no proper grounds have been canvassed by the applicant to warrant a grant of this application, which is unknown to the laws governing criminal law and practice in Ghana.”

Godfred Dame says the application “is a smokescreen and a veiled attempt” by Dr. Ato Forson “to abort his legitimate prosecution for actions committed as a public officer which led to the State losing colossal amounts of funds. Same is incompetent as no one has immunity from prosecution under the laws of Ghana.”

The AG in an affidavit deposed to by a Principal State Attorney, says Ato Forson’s claims in support of the application “are laden with spurious allegations which are carefully and mischievously calculated at creating needless doubts about the ability of the court to dispense justice in this case.

Again, the AG says that “Even though the applicant levels many wild and untrue allegations against the Attorney-General, no deposition in the affidavit in support attacks the integrity of the court or hints at any decision or action by the trial court which impedes the capacity of the court to administer justice in this case.”

The AG denies virtually all allegations against him, including the claim that he could not respond immediately to the third accused, Richard Jakpa’s outburst in court alleging that the AG had tried to recruit him to aid in the prosecution of Ato Forson.

Rather, the Principal State Attorney says that “the reaction of the Attorney-General to the unfounded allegations of the 3rd accused was most professional, as he was not a witness in the courtroom and was therefore not required to respond. Further, the Attorney-General will have his day in cross-examination of the 3rd accused person.”

The affidavit concludes that “it is totally untenable for the applicant to be let off the hook on account of fabricated allegations by the 3rd accused person aimed at assisting the applicant to gain unwarranted advantage in this trial.

“That the integrity of the proceedings before this court remains intact as the proceedings of the court have been conducted in open court with all parties given the opportunity to test the evidence given for and against them in court, in accord with the common law tradition.”

He expressed discontent with Deputy Attorney-General, Alfred Tuah-Yeboah for defending his boss’s decision to remain in office despite mounting calls for his resignation.

On Tuesday, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) released what it claims to be an audio recording of a conversation between Attorney-General Mr Dame and Richard Jakpa, the third accused in the controversial ambulance purchase trial.

Mr Jakpa has alleged that the Attorney-General previously asked him to testify falsely against the Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, to secure a conviction.

In response to the NDC’s call for Mr Dame’s resignation, Mr Tuah-Yeboah stated that the NDC has no basis for such demands, insisting that the Attorney-General remains resolute and committed to his role.

On the back of this, Mr Kpebu criticised this stance, noting that the audio recording was clear evidence of wrongdoing.

He argued that the Attorney-General’s office appeared to be in trouble when they started making stories even before the NDC released the tape.

“So the charges have not yet been laid against you and yet you are running ahead and giving explanations. Look, Tuah Yeboah – what he said is so farcical, they should stop.

“This tape is so bad, Dame should just tender his resignation and go because the more he stays in the office, the more these arguments and debates will go on and the more he is dragging the name of the office of the Attorney-General into the mud.”

He further suggested that it would be prudent for the Deputy Attorney-General and the Attorney-General to resign to cleanse the system.

“The more they stay, the more it drags the judiciary, the office of the Attorney-General, and the government—and by extension, the whole of Ghana—into disrepute. If they quickly resign, it will indicate to the world that steps are being taken to restore confidence,” Mr Kpebu added.

Ayeh Pay said Mr Dame should focus on his duties without fear and intimidation from anyone.

Pressure is mounting from various quarters, particularly the National Democratic Congress (NDC), following the release of audio recordings in which Mr. Dame is said to be coercing Richard Jakpa, a key figure in the ongoing case to testify against Minority leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.

Some people in the legal fraternity have called on President Akufo-Addo to sack the Attorney General if he refuses to resign.

However, Mr Ayeh-Paye on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Wednesday said the calls are misplaced.

The former lawmaker expressed confidence the President has no intention to sack Mr Dame who has saved the country over GH₵10 trillion judgment debt since 2021.

“I don’t think Akufo-Addo has any plans of sacking the Attorney General because he has committed no crime. But if that happens, some of us will demonstrate against Akufo-Addo. He won’t resign or tomorrow and will follow the case to the latter,” he stated.

Listen to Ayeh-Paye in the audio above:

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AriseGhana contends that the release of an audio recording by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), purportedly featuring a conversation between Godfred Dame and Richard Jakpa, the third accused in the ambulance purchase trial, has severely damaged Dame’s reputation.

This release of the recording followed recent allegations by Mr. Jakpa, suggesting that the Attorney-General had encouraged him to provide false testimony against the Minority Leader in the ongoing ambulance case.

The purported recording captures a conversation between Godfred Dame and Jakpa, where Dame is alleged to have coached Mr Jakpa on the statements to make in court, specifically targeting Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.

Following this, AriseGhana in a press statement issued on Thursday, May 29, and signed by Convenor Bernard Monarh, asserts that Dame’s continued tenure is unsustainable given the tarnishing of his image.

The group argues that, as the Minister for Justice, Dame is obligated to uphold justice, but his alleged involvement in the conversation undermines this principle, rendering him unfit for office.

According to AriseGhana, the situation has transformed Dame from a Minister for Justice to a Minister for Injustice, making it untenable for him to retain his position.

“This conduct by the Attorney-General has been described variously as dishonest, unethical and criminal. Various legal brains and lawyers have publicly called for his resignation or dismissal if he fails to resign honourably.”

“AriseGhana is compelled to join the numerous calls for Mr Godfred Dame to be relieved of his duties as the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice now considering the fact that he has become a Minister for Injustice rather than a Minister for Justice. His conduct demonstrates clearly that he cannot do good to all manner of persons as enjoined by his Oath of Office.”

Meanwhile, the Deputy Attorney-General, Alfred Tuah-Yeboah, has questioned the authenticity of the audio tape released by the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Interacting with the media on the sidelines of the launch of Amnesty International’s Human Rights and Death Penalty Report 2023, Mr Tuah-Yeboah dismissed NDC’s claims while mounting a strong defence for his boss, Godfred Dame.

According to Mr Anyenini, based on information available to him, the Attorney General may have been aware of the meeting with the third accused, Jakpa in the ongoing ambulance purchase trial.

This follows submissions made by Wilberforce Mensah that Mr Dame did not act in an unethical and unprofessional manner when he met with an accused person in an ongoing trial.

Among other things, Mr Mensah told the host of JoyNews’ The Probe, Emefa Apawu that there had been only a single meeting between the A-G and Mr Jakpa.

He further alleged that, Mr Dame was invited by a Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana, who has now been identified as Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi, to come to his house for a discussion – an invitation that he honoured.

Mr Mensah explained that, in the course of the conversation with the Justice of the Supreme Court, Mr Jakpa, whom the judge had introduced as a cousin, came into the room thereby facilitating the meeting between the three gentlemen.

But Samson Lardy Anyenini suspects the narrative may not be accurate.

“What I am informed suggests that what the AG’s spokesperson told Emefa is a big lie. [I am referring to] the claim of the involvement of a judge directly and the AG being unaware [of the meeting].

“That is what I am reliably informed and I have been pointed to something which shows that the claim potentially in the course of events, will fall flat as a lie.”

The Host of Joy News’ NewsFile believes a special probe into the conduct of the Attorney General in the ongoing trial of the Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson and two others must be initiated.

This enquiry, he said, will help settle the controversy surrounding a case that can potentially affect the country’s criminal justice system.

“Because there is the potential implication of crime and professional misconduct, it will be important that the matters are gone into, in the interest of the parties; in the interest of the Office of the Attorney General and in the interest of criminal justice delivery,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is set to address a press conference today, Tuesday, over the alleged interference in the case by the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice.

Watch the full interview below:

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Dr. Ato Forson, a former Deputy Finance Minister, along with two others, is on trial for allegedly causing financial loss to the state through the importation of 30 ambulances.

This forms part of a 2012 contract between the Ministry of Health and Dubai-based firm, Big Sea Limited, for the purchase of 200 ambulances.

The prosecution’s case is that Dr. Ato Forson issued letters of credit without authorisation from his then boss, Finance Minister Seth Terkper.

However, Mr. Terkper testified in court that he did indeed authorize Dr. Ato Forson to establish the letters of credit.

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The case is continuing with the third accused, Richard Jakpa, who is currently being cross-examined.

Mr Simons took to social media, posting on X on Saturday, May 25, to voice his opinion on the matter.

Mr Simons believes the case is an attempt to silence the Minority in Parliament.

He insists that letters of credit are not payments themselves but guarantees to honour or refuse payment based on whether certain conditions are met.

“I’ve racked my brains for eons & still can’t understand why this fact so obvious to every business person isn’t clear to Ghana’s Attorney General. The case against the Minority Leader in Ghana’s Parliament for authorising an LC is INCOMPETENT. Not just bcos of this MP’s point.”

“But more importantly because of what an LC is. An LC is not a simple instruction to pay. It is a guarantee to honour or REFUSE payment if CERTAIN CONDITIONS are met/NOT MET.

“This is a pure political prosecution to muzzle the opposition in Parliament. Luckily, it isn’t working,” he posted.

As the cross-examination of Richard Jakpa proceeds, the debate over the legitimacy and motivations behind the charges against Dr. Ato Forson and the other accused continues to intensify.

This follows statements from the third accused in the ambulance purchase trial, Richard Jakpa that the Attorney-General had previously approached him to build a case against Ato Forson.

“The A-G has on several occasions engaged me at odd hours to help him make a case against A1 and I have evidence for that. If he pushes me, I will open the Pandora’s box. I don’t understand why the A-G will accuse me of defending A1 when I’m here to defend myself. If he pushes me, I’ll open the Pandora’s box. I have evidence to all this,” Mr Jakpa said in court.

The NDC expressed deep concern over what it perceives as persecution against Minority Leader in Parliament Ato Forson.

In the press release signed by Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah on May 23, the party said this incident confirms their long-held suspicions about the Attorney-General’s and the government’s tactics.

“The NDC is deeply scandalised by this clear case of persecution against the Leader of the party’s Caucus in Parliament who has been at the forefront of our struggle against the misrule of the oppressive and despotic Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP regime,” the statement said.

The NDC criticized the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration, accusing it of undermining the integrity of the judicial process to unjustly target political opponents.

“It further shows the desperate lengths the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government will go to manipulate judicial processes to unjustly victimise political opponents for cheap political goal-scoring.”

Mr. Nketia also said the Attorney-General lacks integrity and perverts the course of justice.

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According to a statement released this evening, the office says Attorney General Godfred Dame has not, at any point, required the third accused person, Richard Jakpa, to coerce him into contributing falsehoods to help jail the NDC MP.

This comes after Richard Jakpa, the third accused in the ambulance purchase trial, claimed that the Attorney-General had previously approached him to help build a case against Minority Leader and former Deputy Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.

“The A-G has on several occasions engaged me at odd hours to help him make a case against A1 and I have evidence for that.. If he pushes me, I will open the Pandora’s box. I don’t understand why the A-G will accuse me of defending A1 when I’m here to defend myself,” Mr Jakpa said in court.

“If he pushes me, I’ll open the Pandora’s box. I have evidence to all this,” he added on Thursday, May 23.

The NDC expressed concern over what it views as a clear case of persecution against Dr. Forson, who has been a prominent figure in opposing the current government’s policies.

The Attorney General in the statement insisted that “The Republic has never required or desired the cooperation of any of the accused persons in the matter, in which it has already succeeded in establishing a prima facie case against all the accused persons.”

“Neither the Attorney-General nor any officer from the Office of the Attorney-General has approached any of the accused persons with the view to obtaining evidence from them.”

In the statement signed by Deputy Attorney-General, Alfred Tuah Yeboah, the office rather pointed to Mr Jakpa of being the one who “by various letters” on multiple occasions “proposed to the Republic through the Attorney-General to engage in plea bargaining or plea negotiations. This plea bargaining proposal has, to date, not been accepted by the Attorney-General.”

“Even though the law on plea bargaining passed by Parliament permits a prosecutor to negotiate with an accused person after a plea proposal has been made, the Attorney-General has not engaged the third accused person to give false testimony in the matter.

“The Attorney-General has also come under enormous pressure from all manner of persons for him to discontinue the prosecution of the 1^st accused person, Cassiel Ato Forson, but has not yielded.”

In the earlier press release, the NDC Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah posited that this incident confirms the “legitimate and long-held suspicion of the devious modus operandi of Godfred Dame and the government he represents.”

“The NDC is deeply scandalised by this clear case of persecution against the Leader of the party’s Caucus in Parliament who has been at the forefront of our struggle against the misrule of the oppressive and despotic Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP regime,” the statement said.

The NDC’s statement criticized the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration, accusing it of lacking integrity and perverting the course of justice.

“It further shows the desperate lengths the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government will go to manipulate judicial processes to unjustly victimise political opponents for cheap political goal-scoring.”

Mr Nketia added that “It also confirms the lack of integrity of the dishonourable Attorney-General and the extent to which he goes to pervert the course of justice.”

The party has announced its intention to hold a press conference, during which it plans to present evidence supporting its claims.

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His comment follows criticisms by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) against Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, in the scheduling of political cases at the Supreme Court.

The NDC accused the judicial service of bias, questioning why the MP’s application filed on March 18th will be heard earlier than that of journalist, Richard Dela Sky filed on March 5, 2024.

But addressing journalists on Wednesday after the Supreme Court dismissed the application, Mr Dame explained that the court act and constitution allows it.

He said, he cannot comprehend the criticism against the Supreme Court for hearing the matter quickly.

“The duty to fix the date for the hearing rests with the registry of the Supreme Court and I do not understand where this business of people actually scrutinizing when applications are fixed for hearing or why this case has not been fixed for hearing, came from.

“Back in the day, if you file an application in the Supreme Court of Ghana it takes you even three months for you to get a date for a hearing. It is only after a party has made an application for an expeditious determination of the process that the matter will come up for hearing. Even the record shows that in this particular case, I specifically applied for an expeditious determination of the matter so it is not the Supreme Court of Ghana picking and choosing which case they should hear and not to hear.

“My first application for an expedited hearing of a matter in the Supreme Court,  I did it way back in 2006  and I did another one in 2013 when we were in opposition. So it is always the prerogative of the Supreme Court registry to fix applications for hearing and if the date for the hearing has not been fixed or it is too far, it is incumbent on  the party to apply to the CJ in accordance with the court act and constitution for an expedited hearing.”

When asked why it appears he is taking an interest in only matters that favor the government and not filing for an expedited hearing in the application against the anti-gay bill, Mr Dame said “we have filed a relevant affidavit in opposition in that matter, so I think all these comments are unwanted and indeed are baseless. We actually filed our opposition to the affidavit in answer to the Richard Sky matter before we filed the affidavit in answer today to this one.

“It is most instructive that Parliament itself was opposed to this application for interlocutory injunction by Dafeamekpor and I find it very interesting because the same Speaker of Parliament who earlier on adjourned proceedings in my view wrongly, on account of the pendency of this application then later on somersaulted and came to the Supreme Court and opposed the application and that is a point of interest to me.  I think it shows clearly that the application clearly was frivolous and it ought not to be any manipulation of what went on in court, even Parliament itself was opposed to the application.”

He added “It is most unfortunate that persons who file processes before the court and then fail to take an interest in it. Indeed even when the same application for interlocutory injunction is pending or has not been determined, a day before they proceed to go and file another application for interlocutory injunction, there cannot be a greater demonstration of a desire to abuse the court process than this. Clearly, it shows an attempt to frustrate the Republic from pursuing its business and all. That is why it is necessary that as lawyers for the Republic, we take a keen interest in what happens and we make sure that such things are dealt with so that the state business can proceed.”

In his lawsuit against the Speaker of Parliament (1st defendant) and the Attorney General (2nd defendant), Mr. Dafeamekpor argued that the President should have sought parliamentary approval before reassigning ministers whose appointments were revoked.

However, the application was deemed frivolous and an abuse of court processes by the apex court.

Despite the absence of Mr Dafeamekpor and his lawyer, the court proceeded with the case and ruled against it.

The five judges who presided over the case were Justice Kingsley Koomson, Justice Mariama Owusu, Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo (Presiding), Justice Amadu Tanko, and Justice Yaw Darko Asare.

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His comment follows the criticisms by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) against Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, in the scheduling of political cases in the Supreme Court.

The NDC accused the judicial service of bias, questioning why the MP’s application filed on March 18th will be heard earlier than that of journalist, Richard Dela Sky filed on March 5, 2024.

But addressing journalists on Wednesday after the Supreme Court dismissed the application, Mr Dame explained the court act and constitution allows that.

He stated he therefore cannot comprehend the criticism against the Supreme Court for hearing this matter quickly.

In his lawsuit against the Speaker of Parliament (1st defendant) and the Attorney General (2nd defendant), Dafeamekpor argued that the President should have sought parliamentary approval before reassigning ministers whose appointments were revoked.

However, the application was deemed frivolous and an abuse of court processes by the apex court.

Despite the absence of Mr Dafeamekpor and his lawyer, the court proceeded with the case and ruled against it.

The five judges who presided over the case were Justice Kingsley Koomson, Justice Mariama Owusu, Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo (Presiding), Justice Amadu Tanko, and Justice Yaw Darko Asare.

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