Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has dismissed criticism from the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) and some legal practitioners over his handling of corruption cases, saying they are motivated by jealousy and discomfort with transparency.
Speaking in an interview on A1 Radio, Dr. Ayine defended his practice of holding detailed press conferences on corruption investigations before filing charges in court, describing the approach as consistent with internationally accepted prosecutorial standards and aimed at promoting public accountability.
“The NPP is just jealous of me and the approach I’m using. The NPP does not like exposure,” Dr. Ayine said. “They know I’m the sun that brings light to every darkness.”
According to him, the opposition prefers legal proceedings that are quietly filed in court and selectively reported by sympathetic media outlets, leaving the public confused about the substance of cases.
Dr. Ayine maintained that briefing the public on investigative findings before filing charges is both deliberate and ethical.
“When I brief the people about the investigation I did and then go to file, I do not think it is wrong. What I’m doing is standard practice,” he said, adding that lawyers affiliated with the NPP would adopt similar methods if the party returned to power.
Rejecting claims that his approach amounts to a “trial by media,” the Attorney General was emphatic. “I don’t try anybody in public,” he said.
He cited practices in advanced democracies, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, where prosecutors routinely explain charges to the public before court proceedings begin.
Dr. Ayine referenced the prosecution of former U.S. President Donald Trump, noting that the Manhattan District Attorney held a detailed press conference outlining charges before filing them in court.
“America is over 200 years into democracy,” he said. “No one has said that when they prosecute in America and detail their charges, they are trying somebody in public.”
A law lecturer for 13 years before assuming office, Dr. Ayine also explained that holding press briefings before filing charges allows him to avoid commenting on cases already before the courts, which would be unethical.
His remarks come amid heightened public interest in corruption-related prosecutions as the government intensifies efforts to promote accountability.
Despite ongoing debate over his approach, Dr. Ayine insists that transparency—rather than secrecy—must define Ghana’s fight against corruption.
Source: A1 Radio | 101.1 Mhz | Moses Apiah | Bolgatanga
