Claims that recent prosecutions under the government’s anti-corruption campaign are politically motivated have been rejected by Attorney General and Justice Minister Dr. Dominic Ayine. Despite charges from detractors, the Justice Minister emphasized during a press conference in Accra today that his office functions impartially and without partisan influence.
Concerns that prominent arrests and trials have unjustly singled out political opponents were addressed by Dr. Ayine.
He emphasized that the purpose of public briefings on cases, which are based on procedures in the American legal system, is to guarantee transparency rather than to demonize specific people.
“The United States of America is one of the oldest democracies in the world, and when investigations are finished, US prosecutors, district attorneys, lawyers, or even the Attorney General of the United States of America inform the media of their conclusions.”
“On occasion, they submit the charges and leave the courtroom to inform the media about the charges. “This has nothing wrong with it,” he stated.
The Attorney General’s comments coincide with intense discussion surrounding a number of well-known cases involving former public servants and corporate executives who are purportedly charged in the government’s main ORAL investigations.
Given the wide range of socioeconomic and professional backgrounds of the suspects being investigated, Dr. Ayine urged critics to present proof of bias.
“I have never stated or linked any political party to the conduct of the individuals I arrest and look into in any of my news appearances. Therefore, the purpose of this action is not to disparage any political party or group inside Ghanaian politics. Our only goal is to answer to the citizens of this nation.
The AG also exposed a large-scale criminal conspiracy in which senior National Service Scheme (NSS) officials reportedly planned a nationwide payroll fraud scheme.
According to the AG, his office has discovered evidence that suggests senior administrators, including the NSS CEO, payroll officers, and district directors, worked together over a number of years to inflate the NSS payroll with fictitious names.
Investigators found 81,885 “ghost” names that were used to steal state funds, he said.
GH¢548 million is said to have been diverted from public coffers as a result of the plan.
Money meant for recently enlisted service members was diverted to officials’ and collaborators’ personal pockets.
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