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AG’s Department advised Godfred Dame to drop charges against Dr. Johnson Asiama – Dominic Ayine reveals
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The Attorney General, Dr. Dominic Ayine has revealed that an internal memo prepared by the Prosecutions Division of the Attorney General’s (AG) Department before he assumed office recommended that criminal charges against the current Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Johnson Asiama be dropped.
Dr. Ayine disclosed that even though the advice was offered to his predecessor, he refused to heed to the counsel and rather pursued the case in court.
“This was the advice from the Prosecutions Division of the Attorney General’s Department to the former Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, which recommended that the charges should be dropped”, Dr. Ayine said.
“Based on these revelations it was difficult for me to press ahead with the prosecution of the current Governor of the Bank of Ghana and that is why I dropped all the charges against him,” he said explaining reasons behind the decision to discontinue the case.
Dr. Dominic Ayine disclosed this at a news conference in Accra to update the public on reasons for filing nolle prosequi for a number of court cases involving high profile members of the of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.
“In coming to this decision, I am fortified by the Rule 40(2)(a) of the Legal Profession (Professional Conduct and Etiquette) Rules, 2020 (L.I. 2423) which provides that, in a criminal case, a prosecutor shall refrain from prosecuting a charge that the prosecutor knows is not supported by the facts”
Background
Government in 2020, began the prosecution of Dr. Johnson Asiama, who was then the Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, along other accused persons on fraudulent breach of trust, money laundering, conspiracy to commit crime, and violations of the Bank of Ghana Act.
For Dr. Asiama, he was charged with contravention of the Bank of Ghana Act for granting a facility of 300 million cedis to Universal Merchant Bank and for causing financial loss to the state in the sum of 150million cedis.
Charge of financial loss
In reaction to this, Dr. Ayine said the state was not pursuing a charge of financial loss again since 300 million cedis have been recovered, leaving the 150 million cedis outstanding.
I did not see the need to pursue the case. Evidence adduced so far fell significantly short of what was required to convict the accused. I therefore find it interesting that the state pressed ahead with prosecution, which I consider as a total waste of time”, he said.
Dr. Ayine pointed out that charges against some other people have not been dropped.
“I have not yet dropped the charges against the remaining accused persons because I am currently in discussions with the receivers in order to understand the financial implications of any decision I may take in these cases,” he concluded.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo Markin, says he has discharged his duties with the dignity and responsibility demanded by the office, stressing that he does not take the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for granted.
He made the remarks during a media briefing, where he also dismissed claims that there are compromising videos or audio recordings of him that could embarrass him, his family or the party.
Mr Afenyo Markin acknowledged that he is not perfect but insisted that he would not act recklessly, particularly given the responsibility attached to his position as Minority Leader.
“I have discharged my duty as a Minority Leader with all the dignity that must go with the office. I’m not a perfect guy, but I won’t be reckless,” he stated.
He said he was conscious of the history of the position he occupies, noting that it had previously been held by senior members of the NPP, including J.B. Danquah, J.H. Mensah and Busia, Dumbo.
According to him, the party’s elders did not entrust him with the leadership of the parliamentary caucus without considering the responsibility involved.
“I don’t take NPP for granted. It’s a tradition I respect. The elders of this party, they don’t just get up to say, ‘Our son, lead the caucus.’ From day one, they entrusted me with this position,” he stated.
Mr Afenyo Markin said he has always recognised the weight of the party’s history and the need to conduct himself in a manner that protects the image of the NPP.
He rejected claims that individuals have videos or audio recordings of him engaging in activities that could be used to embarrass him.
“Nobody has any video of me doing anything. Nobody has any audio of me doing anything to embarrass myself, my family and the party,” he insisted.
He described the claims as part of the challenges politicians face in the era of social media, where allegations and rumours can spread quickly.
Mr Afenyo Markin maintained that despite such claims, he would continue to carry out his responsibilities with caution and respect for the office he occupies.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo Markin, has denied that his concerns over the GoldBod and the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme are aimed at any particular individual.
He explained that his criticism has always been directed at the institution and the way the programme is being implemented, rather than at any person.
“I have never, on any occasion, mentioned anyone’s name. I have always been talking about the GoldBod institution,” Mr Afenyo Markin stated.
He made these remarks today during a press briefing August 31, 2026,Speaking to when cultural troupes from Winneba visited his residence in Accra
the Minority’s position is that although the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme is a good initiative, its implementation has created challenges that need to be examined.
He described the programme as an initiative introduced under former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to use Ghana’s gold resources to help stabilise the economy.
Mr Afenyo Markin maintained that the Minority supports the idea but is concerned about what he described as losses arising from its implementation.
He referenced concerns raised by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) regarding losses associated with the programme, arguing that such issues should be properly investigated.
He therefore rejected suggestions that the matter had become a personal attack.
“We need to elevate the conversation so that it doesn’t become a personality contest,” he added.
Responding to arguments that the reported losses could instead be exchange rate losses on the Bank of Ghana’s own accounts and that the central bank was following international best practices, Mr Afenyo Markin called for patience.
He indicated that the planned parliamentary probe would provide an opportunity for all sides to present their positions and establish the facts.
“When October comes and we start the discussion, wherever the truth is, we will all get to know,” he stated.
By: Jacob Aggrey
