The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice has withdrawn at least seven high profile criminal cases against perrons with strong connections to the government.
Dr Ernest Thompson
On Friday, state prosecutors led by Dr Dominic Ayine dropped all charges against the former Director-General of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), Dr Ernest Thompson, and three others in a case involving alleged financial impropriety.
Dr Ayine’s decision marks the end of a long-running case initiated under the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia-led administration, which sought to hold the accused accountable for alleged financial losses to the state.
According to documents filed at the Accra High Court, the state has discontinued the case against Dr. Thompson, John Hagan Mensah, and Peter Hayibor.
The notice, signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, cited Sections 59(1), 59(2)(b)(ii), and 59(5) of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30) as the legal basis for the withdrawal.
The accused’s legal representatives, including Samuel Codjoe, Anis Moghtar Mohayideen, and D.K. Ameley, have been formally notified of the Attorney-General’s decision.
Oliver Barker-Vormawor & 53 others
On the same day, the Attorney-General again, discontinued the case against about 53 Democracy Hub protesters including its convenor Oliver Barker-Vormawor and Ama Governor among others who were arrested during a demonstrating against illegal mining (galamsey)
The protesters, who took to the streets to demand greater government action against environmental degradation, were detained and charged after their demonstration.
The individuals were arrested during demonstrations intended to raise awareness about the harmful effects of illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey on the environment.
Activists have increasingly voiced their concerns regarding the destruction of farmlands, water bodies, and forests due to unregulated mining practices.
Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo
Furthermore, the government also dropped all criminal charges against the former National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, and Anthony Kwaku Boahen.
The Attorney-General, made the announcement, days ago bringing an end to the legal proceedings that began in December 2019.
The two NDC officials had been facing trial over a leaked audio recording in which Ofosu-Ampofo was allegedly heard plotting to instigate crimes and create unrest in the country to blame the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The recording allegedly discussed plans such as kidnappings, arson, and verbal assaults on key public figures, including the Chairman of the National Peace Council, Prof. Emmanuel Asante, and Electoral Commission Chairperson, Jean Mensa.
Both Ofosu-Ampofo and Boahen had been charged with conspiracy to cause harm, but the case has now been dismissed after the government decided to withdraw from the trial.
Dr. Stephen Opuni
In addition to the tally of suspended trials, the former Chief Executive of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr. Stephen Kwabena Opuni, businessman Seidu Agongo, and Agricult Ghana Limited have also been acquitted and discharged of all criminal charges in the COCOBOD case by the High Court.
This was after the State Prosecutors, upon the instructions of the Attorney General, filed a notice of withdrawal on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, to drop all charges against them.
The former Chief Executive of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr. Opuni, and businessman Seidu Agongo have been in court since March 25, 2018.
The presiding judge, Justice Aboagye Tandoh, upon hearing the prosecution, acquitted and discharged them.
“Accordingly, the accused persons – Dr. Stephen Kwabena Opuni, Seidu Agongo, and Agricult Ghana Limited – are all acquitted and discharged of all charges leveled against each one of them,” Justice Aboagye Tandoh, a Justice of the Court of Appeal who is presiding over the case as an additional High Court judge, delivered.
Cassiel Ato Forson, Richard Jakpa
The State weeks ago withdrew an appeal initiated by Godfred Yeboah Dame against Cassiel Ato Forson and Richard Jakpa of charges related to causing financial loss to the state.
In a Notice of Abandonment of Appeal dated January 23, 2025, Dr. Ayine stated that the state had decided not to pursue the matter any further.
“Please take notice that the Republic, having previously served notice of appeal against the judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal on July 30, 2024, hereby gives notice that it does not intend to prosecute the appeal further and abandons all proceedings related to this matter from the date of this notice,” he stated.
Collins Dauda & others
On Friday, February 7, 2025, Dr Ayine, officially withdrawn all charges against former Works and Housing Minister Collins Dauda and four others in the Saglemi Housing Project case.
This was stated in a nolle prosequi notice filed at the High Court (Financial Division 1) in Accra on to abruptly end the trial against the accused persons who were facing 70 counts of causing financial loss to the state in connection with the controversial $200 million Saglemi Affordable Housing Project.
The case was initiated under the Akufo-Addo-led administration, which alleged that Collins Dauda, Kweku Agyeman-Mensah, and Alhaji Ziblim Yakubu played key roles in the planning and execution of the Saglemi Housing deal.
Dr. Asiama & Others
As though that is not enough, the Attorney-General, filed a notice to withdraw all charges against former Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama, who has been standing trial in two separate cases for his alleged role in the collapse of UniBank and UT Bank.
A notice of withdrawal, filed at the trial court and signed by Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, served the notice.
“Please take note that at the next hearing of this suit, the Prosecutor on the instructions of the Honourable Attorney-General hereby withdraws all offences and or charges against the Johnson Asiamah herein under sections 59(1), (2)(b)(ii) and (5) of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act (1960), Act 30.”
Mr Asiama, along with other accused persons, had been facing charges of fraudulent breach of trust, money laundering, conspiracy to commit crime, and violations of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) Act since 2020.
In the case of UT Bank’s collapse, the former second deputy governor was charged alongside five others, including the bank’s founder, Prince Kofi Amoabeng.
The other accused persons in that case were Raymond Amanfu, UT Holdings Ltd., Catherine Johnson, and Robert Kwesi Armah.
Compiled By Kofi Yirenkyi
