Former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame has launched a scathing attack on the current Attorney General, accusing him of inconsistencies, contradictions, and politically motivated actions in discontinuing high-profile corruption cases.
At a press conference, Dame questioned the legal and ethical basis for the withdrawal of cases involving alleged financial mismanagement, including the controversial ambulance procurement scandal and the Saglemi Housing Project.
Questionable Legal Justifications?
Dame argued that the Attorney General’s explanations for withdrawing several corruption cases were flawed, contradicting established legal principles. He accused his successor of misapplying constitutional provisions and failing to consult the appropriate prosecutorial bodies before taking action.
“The discretionary power to discontinue cases under Articles 88(4) and 137(8) of the Constitution is not exercised in a vacuum,” Dame stated. “It must be guided by law, ethics, and the national interest, not personal or political considerations.”
He further argued that the mere fact that the current Attorney General had previously acted as defense counsel for some accused persons created a clear conflict of interest. Dame questioned whether this conflict influenced the decisions to withdraw prosecutions.
Ambulance Procurement Scandal
One of the key cases Dame highlighted was the controversial procurement of faulty ambulances in 2014. He revealed that these vehicles were imported into Ghana in violation of the original contract terms and without proper approval from the Ministry of Health.
“When the vehicles arrived, they were not the type specified in the contract,” Dame explained. “They were defective, and even the then Minister of Health, under the Mahama administration, admitted that they could not serve as ambulances.”
Dame dismissed claims that the case was legally weak, arguing that the prosecution had solid grounds and that discontinuing the case amounted to shielding those responsible from accountability.
Saglemi Housing Scandal
Dame also criticized the withdrawal of charges related to the Saglemi Housing Project, a scandal that involved the alleged misapplication of $200 million in public funds. He argued that the current Attorney General’s justification—that the prosecution failed to correctly frame the charges—was weak and could have been remedied without abandoning the entire case.
“If there was an issue with how the charges were framed, the logical step would have been to amend them, not to drop the case entirely,” Dame said. “This decision suggests an intent to protect individuals from facing justice rather than upholding the rule of law.”
He further pointed out that multiple officials, including those who served after the accused individuals left office, could have been held accountable if the Attorney General had pursued the matter properly.
Concerns Over Political Influence
Dame raised concerns that the case withdrawals were part of a broader strategy by the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) to erase corruption allegations from its previous tenure. He referenced statements made by former President John Mahama, who had previously pledged to reinstate revoked banking licenses and address other policies introduced under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.
“This is not about legal merit; this is about political convenience,” Dame asserted. “If the Attorney General had confidence in the legal strength of his position, he would have allowed the appeals process to take its course rather than abruptly withdrawing these cases.”
The Need for Transparency
Dame challenged the Attorney General to publicly release any internal legal memos or consultations that justified these case withdrawals. He argued that the lack of transparency fueled suspicions that the decisions were politically motivated rather than legally sound.
“If there were legitimate concerns about the viability of these cases, let the public see the legal opinions that informed these decisions,” he said. “Without transparency, these actions will always be viewed as an attempt to protect the politically connected at the expense of justice.”
What Next?
Dame’s strong critique has intensified the debate over judicial independence and political interference in Ghana’s legal system. His remarks have sparked calls for parliamentary oversight and independent reviews of the Attorney General’s recent actions.
