Ghana's opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, of deliberately using his office to secure the release of members and allies of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) facing corruption-related prosecutions. This serious allegation follows a significant Court of Appeal decision on Thursday, July 30, 2026. The court acquitted and discharged Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), overturning her previous conviction and 10-year prison sentence.
Addressing a press conference on Friday, July 31, 2026, Henry Nana Boakye, the NPP's National Organiser, claimed the MASLOC ruling was part of a deliberate pattern. He asserted that the Attorney General was systematically discontinuing or overturning criminal cases involving former NDC officials. Mr. Boakye stated that this approach had become the 'modus operandi' of the current Attorney General, describing it as a 'well-conceived agenda' to free their political allies.
This development fits into Ghana's broader political landscape, where allegations of political interference in justice are not uncommon, especially concerning high-profile corruption cases. The perception of selective justice can erode public trust in state institutions and the rule of law. Such accusations often intensify during periods leading up to general elections, as political parties seek to gain an advantage by highlighting perceived failings of their opponents. The ongoing debate about the independence of the Attorney General's office from political influence is a recurring theme in Ghanaian governance discussions.
Mr. Boakye cited several other cases to support his claims. He referenced the SSNIT financial loss case, where he alleged the Attorney General entered a 'nolle prosequi' to discontinue proceedings against the former Director-General, Board Chairman, and two others. This action occurred despite the court having previously ruled that they had a case to answer. He also pointed to the UniBank case, which involved alleged financial losses estimated at GHS 5.7 billion. Mr. Boakye claimed the Attorney General similarly withdrew the prosecution in this case after the court had directed the accused persons to open their defence. Furthermore, the NPP National Organiser mentioned the Saglemi Housing Project case, involving former Works and Housing Minister Collins Dauda, and the COCOBOD trial as additional examples of this alleged pattern.
The Attorney General's office has responded to these allegations. It has directed the Director of Public Prosecutions to immediately file an appeal to the Supreme Court challenging the Court of Appeal's decision regarding Madam Tamakloe-Attionu. A press release issued on July 30, 2026, confirmed that the Attorney General had taken notice of the Court of Appeal's ruling. This ruling overturned Madam Tamakloe-Attionu's conviction on 78 counts, including conspiracy to steal, stealing, causing financial loss to the State, money laundering, and breaches of the Public Procurement Act. The Attorney General's statement emphasized the state's commitment to due process and expressed confidence that the appeal before the Supreme Court will succeed. This appeal will be a critical test of the legal system's ability to navigate politically charged cases and uphold justice.