Attorney General Drops Charges Against Bank of Ghana Official Johnson Asiama
Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has justified the decision to drop all charges against Dr. Johnson Asiama, a current official of the Bank of Ghana, citing weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence.
Dr. Ayine disclosed that a review of the case uncovered an internal memo from the prosecution division of the Attorney General’s office, which had earlier advised that the charges be withdrawn due to concerns over the case’s strength.
Key Reason for Dropping Charges
Speaking to journalists in Accra, Dr. Ayine explained:
“My review of some of the cases revealed fatal flaws in the prosecution. In two of the banking trials, I decided to withdraw charges against Dr. Johnson Asiama because I found an internal memo—prepared for the former Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame—which recommended that the charges be dropped.”
He emphasized that this recommendation had not been acted upon by his predecessor, but he saw it as significant enough to justify withdrawing the case.
Background of the Case
Dr. Asiama, a former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, had been facing legal action as part of a series of prosecutions related to Ghana’s banking sector crisis. However, concerns over insufficient evidence and procedural lapses have led the Attorney General to halt the prosecution.
Political and Legal Implications
This decision has sparked mixed reactions, with critics questioning whether the government is selectively dropping politically sensitive cases, while supporters argue that justice must be based on solid evidence rather than political pressure.
The Attorney General has reiterated his commitment to accountability, stating that he will only proceed with cases that have a strong legal basis.
