Anokye Yaw Frimpong, Lawyer
A private legal practitioner, Anokye Yaw Frimpong, has criticized the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, for holding press conferences to “pronounce individuals guilty” of suspected corruption and related offences.
The lawyer and historian asserted that this practice is dangerous, warning that if a competent court of jurisdiction subsequently clears these individuals of the allegations, the Attorney-General’s prior public statements would have irrevocably tarnished their reputations in the “court of public opinion.”
The critique follows the Attorney-General’s press conference on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, during which he formally accused the former CEO of the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), Hanan Abdul-Wahab, and his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, of allegedly engaging in a criminal enterprise that purportedly pilfered GH¢78.2 million from state coffers.
The couple and other implicated individuals are scheduled to be officially charged and arraigned before court on Friday, October 24, 2025. They are expected to face multiple offences, including stealing, conspiracy to steal, willfully causing financial loss to the state, using public office for profit, and money laundering.
Anokye stressed that only a competent court of jurisdiction holds the authority to pronounce guilt, emphasizing that every suspect or individual brought before the court is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
“It is not an easy task to arraign someone and prosecute them for an alleged criminal offence,” Anokye stated.
“The rules of our criminal proceedings demand that the state must prove the guilt of suspects or offenders beyond reasonable doubt. That is precisely why the law mandates that all suspects or offenders must undergo a fair process. It is only the court that pronounces guilt, and until that is done, one has no right to make pronouncements that are likely to tarnish a person’s image.”
Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he further contended that in other jurisdictions, such as the United States, the state could face legal action by the accused persons for human rights violations.
He argued that if any commentary about a pending case were to be made, it should not emanate from the Attorney-General’s office, as such statements are inherently prejudicial.
Anokye concluded by advising that ministries, particularly Defence, Interior, Foreign Affairs, and Justice, should avoid making public announcements about their operational activities. Instead, they should execute their duties discreetly to prevent undermining their work.
“The Attorney-General should cease making noise and focus on presenting the case in court,” he urged. “Once the matter commences in open court, journalists will duly report on the proceedings, and the Ghanaian public will be informed of what is transpiring.”