Former Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has made serious allegations against the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), and his successor. He claims these institutions are exploiting their powers to punish political opponents, marking a low point in law enforcement. This statement comes amid the detention of Manhyia South MP, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, by EOCO.
Mr. Dame expressed concern over the use of arrests, investigations, and prosecutorial discretion for political purposes. He described the alleged conduct of these institutions over the past two years as a "gross and awkward exploitation" of their powers. The detention of Baffour Awuah, who turned himself in to EOCO on October 1, has raised questions about the use of state power. EOCO is investigating allegations including criminal conspiracy, financial loss to SIC Savings and Loans, money laundering, and tax-related offences.
Godfred Dame questioned why Baffour Awuah spent two nights in EOCO custody without bail. He asked if the issues raised from the MP's conduct were criminal, given that he earned GH¢2.2 million in legal fees from the transaction under investigation. Mr. Dame contrasted Baffour Awuah's treatment with that of former ministers and an MP under previous administrations. He cited Alhaji Collins Dauda, Cassiel Ato Forson, and Dr. Dominic Ayine as examples of individuals who were granted bail without spending time in custody while facing investigations or trials.
Alhaji Collins Dauda was granted self-recognizance bail and never spent a day in custody, despite standing trial for causing financial loss of about US$198 million. Similarly, Cassiel Ato Forson was granted self-recognizance bail without spending a day in custody, despite facing trial for offences valued at US€2.3 million. Dr. Dominic Ayine was also granted bail in 2017 while under investigation for his role in the Ameri deal, without spending a day in custody.
Godfred Dame stated that it is clear that the investigative and prosecutorial authority of certain state institutions is being used to punish political opponents and settle parochial scores. He further accused law-enforcement agencies of neglecting organised crime while focusing on political opponents. The former Attorney General emphasized that real organised and economic crime, such as the narcotic trade, continues to thrive in Ghana.
The allegations made by Godfred Dame have sparked concerns about the use of state power for political purposes. The detention of Baffour Awuah and the investigations into his conduct have raised questions about the impartiality of law-enforcement agencies. The cases cited by Mr. Dame have also highlighted inconsistencies in the application of justice.
The controversy surrounding the use of state power for political purposes continues to grow, with many calling for a thorough examination of the role of law-enforcement agencies in Ghana's democratic process.
Key points
- Godfred Dame accuses EOCO, CID, and AG's office of using state power to punish political opponents.
- The detention of Manhyia South MP, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, by EOCO has raised questions about the use of state power.
- Godfred Dame cites examples of former ministers and an MP who were granted bail without spending time in custody while facing investigations or trials.
