By Morkporkporf Anku
Accra, July 22, GNA – Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice on Tuesday entered a nolle prosequi in the case of The Republic v. Kwabena Duffour & 7 Others.
While the exercise of this prosecutorial discretion requires no explanation under law, the Attorney-General, according to a statement, in the spirit of accountability and transparency, considers it appropriate to provide the public with the rationale for this decision.
The statement issued in Accra signed by Dr Justice Srem-Sai, the Deputy Attorney-General and Deputy Minister of Justice, said as may be recalled, The Republic v. Kwabena Duffour & 7 Others case formed part of a broader set of prosecutions arising out of the financial sector clean-up exercise which the State has been undertaking since the year 2018.
It said the central objective of these prosecutions had been to (a) ensure accountability for public funds and, more importantly, (b) recover losses occasioned to the State through various alleged acts of financial impropriety.
“In pursuit of this objective, the Office of the Attorney-General, in collaboration with other relevant State agencies, established a threshold of 60 per cent recovery of the alleged losses to the State as a condition for reconsidering prosecution in specific cases,” it said.
The statement said following prolonged negotiations and engagements, the accused persons in The Republic v. Kwabena Duffour & 7 Others case have met this recovery threshold.
Accordingly, in furtherance of public interest, and considering the significant recoveries made for the State, the Attorney-General had satisfied himself that continuing with the prosecution would not serve any additional public purpose.
It said this decision, however, did not imply an absence of wrongdoing nor a vindication of any conduct.
“It is a pragmatic step in line with the overarching national interest of recovering State resources,” it added.
The Attorney-General remained resolute in his commitment to upholding the rule of law, protecting the public purse, and pursuing justice in all matters of national importance.
GNA
Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong