The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has responded to the increasing demands for his office to hasten prosecutions in cases involving senior officials.
Dr. Ayine has encountered mounting pressure from various civil society organizations and political analysts to act swiftly on cases of alleged misconduct by public officials. However, he insists that thoroughness remains his foremost concern.
During his address at the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday, October 22, Dr. Ayine stated that he would not yield to public pressure to expedite court proceedings without sufficient evidence, emphasizing that such actions could result in embarrassment and unsuccessful prosecutions.
“It is crucial that we conduct meticulous investigations. ORAL reports are still being submitted to my office. To those urging me to proceed to court, and those asserting that convictions should have already been secured, I understand your legitimate expectations of government officials, including President John Dramani Mahama and me as the Attorney General. However, we must ensure we perform our duties effectively.”
Dr. Ayine remarked that accountability and justice necessitate time, highlighting that hastily approaching the court without a robust case could have adverse consequences.
“Accountability requires time, and it is essential for Ghanaians to practice patience. I will not rush to court only to have defense attorneys raise objections that could lead to my case being dismissed. The same Ghanaians who urged me to act quickly may later criticize me, claiming that Ayine is an incompetent Attorney General,” he warned.
He reassured the public of his office’s dedication to achieving justice through comprehensive investigations and equitable prosecutions, asserting that he would not sacrifice professionalism for public approval.
“I have never been an incompetent lawyer in private practice; I do not wish to be perceived as such in public service,” he concluded.
