Editor of NewsCenta, Elvis Darko, has criticised Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, for publicly commenting on the alleged payroll fraud at the National Service Authority (NSA), describing the move as “unnecessary” and potentially prejudicial.
Darko expressed concern about Dr. Ayine’s remarks at a press conference held on Friday, June 13 arguing that such public pronouncements undermine the judicial process.
“I think the Attorney General should be mindful of his words. If it’s suspicion that you are investigating, that’s correct. But if you make a pronouncement that it is a criminal enterprise, it means you have already determined the fate of the case,” he said.
He added, “That pronouncement does not lie in the mouth of the Attorney General but rather the court. I think the Attorney General is being carried away by the public support and party support.”
His comments come in the wake of a June 13 press briefing in which the Attorney General disclosed alleged payroll fraud amounting to GH¢548 million and named 12 former NSA officials, including high-profile figures such as Mustapha Ussif, Osei Assibey Antwi, and Gifty Oware-Mensah.
But Darko questioned the timing and necessity of the press conference, warning that it could prejudice public opinion and the outcome of ongoing investigations.
“This public conference by the Attorney General, if you ask me, is needless. We need the pronouncement to be made by the court, then we can work with it.”
While emphasising the need for accountability, he stressed that due legal processes must be followed.
“I do not have sympathy for someone who steals public money. The state must deal with them. But the appropriate medium is to carry the case to court,” he added.
