Attorney-General cautions against public pressure on prosecutions

The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, has raised concerns about what he described as growing pressure from sections of the public to fast-track prosecutions, warning that such actions could undermine democratic governance and the rule of law.

At a press conference on Monday, March 24  2025, Dr Ayine stated that while public accountability remains important, prosecutions must not be driven by media campaigns, political commentary, or popular sentiment.

“We must be very clear that prosecutions are not governed by populist sentiment,” he said. “We operate within a constitutional framework that guarantees due process. Prosecutors cannot and should not act simply because a section of the public demands it.”

His remarks follow increased calls from some civil society organisations and political commentators for swift legal action against former public officials facing allegations of corruption.

The Attorney-General stressed that these cases require thorough and lawful investigation before any charges can be laid.

“Any attempt to undermine the procedural integrity of our judicial system for the sake of political optics is not only unhelpful , it is dangerous,” Dr Ayine noted.

He maintained that his office would pursue all credible cases of wrongdoing but reminded the public that investigations often take time, especially in complex financial crime matters.

“If you’ve done your investigations and forwarded a docket, and the docket is not complete, I cannot prosecute,” he said. “If we go and prosecute and the person is acquitted and discharged, they will come back and say we are incompetent.”

Dr Ayine also urged the media to avoid speculation and reporting that could affect ongoing investigations or court proceedings, warning that inaccurate or premature information could jeopardise cases.

“The independence of the judiciary and the prosecutorial discretion of the Attorney-General’s Office are core pillars of democratic governance. We will not sacrifice them on the altar of expediency,” he said.

He added that while his office values public interest in justice matters, it would not act outside the bounds of the law to satisfy political or social expectations.