Attorney General Dominic Ayine defended his practice of holding detailed press conferences about corruption cases before filing charges, saying he is following international standards used in the United States and United Kingdom.
Critics, including lawyers for some defendants and opposition party members, have accused Dr. Ayine of conducting “public trials” or “trial by media” before courts have decided the cases.
“I don’t try anybody in public,” Dr. Ayine said Saturday in an interview with A1 Radio, pointing to similar practices by prosecutors in America, Britain and Australia.
He cited the example of the Manhattan district attorney holding a detailed press conference on charges against former President Donald Trump before filing them in court.
“America is over 200 years a democracy,” Dr. Ayine said. “No one has said that when they prosecuted in America, detailing their charges, they are trying somebody in public.”
Dr. Ayine, who taught law for 13 years before becoming attorney general, said he holds press conferences before filing charges to avoid commenting on pending trials, which would be unethical.
“I do the press conference, then I proceed to file,” he said. “Prior to filing, I tell the people what I have found by way of investigation, and then I go and file.”
The attorney general said the approach ensures transparency because criminal cases are titled “The Republic versus” defendants, meaning the sovereign people of Ghana are the complainants.
“The people who are putting forth the charges must know,” Dr. Ayine said. “I act on behalf of the people.”
He dismissed suggestions that his detailed explanations of evidence prejudice cases, saying defense lawyers are actually concerned the public will learn about strong evidence against their clients.
“They know that the way I lay out the evidence is very strong and provable,” Dr. Ayine said. “Sometimes they get afraid that the people will get to know that, look, these people have actually committed the offenses that I am charging them with.”
Opposition New Patriotic Party members have criticized the approach, but Ayine said he regularly receives support from ordinary Ghanaians both in Ghana and abroad.
“I bet it, put it, mark it down, your next attorney general will do a similar thing because this is the way to go,” Dr. Ayine said.
Source: A1 Radio | 101.1 Mhz | Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith | Bolgatanga
