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In a significant legal development, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice has officially withdrawn all charges against the former Director-General of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), Dr. Ernest Thompson, and three others in a high-profile case involving alleged financial impropriety.
The decision, taken by Dr. Dominic Ayine, brings an end to a prolonged legal battle that was initiated under the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia-led administration. The case had sought to hold the accused accountable for alleged financial losses incurred by the state through SSNIT operations.
Court documents filed at the High Court (Criminal Division) in Accra confirm that the state has officially discontinued proceedings against Dr. Ernest Thompson, John Hagan Mensah, and Peter Hayibor. The move, formalised through a nolle prosequi notice, effectively clears the accused of all pending legal challenges.
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The withdrawal of charges was executed in accordance with Sections 59(1), 59(2)(b)(ii), and 59(5) of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30). The legal provision grants the Attorney General discretionary authority to terminate proceedings when deemed necessary, signalling the state’s decision to cease further prosecution.
The notice, signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, underscores the formal cessation of the case and has been communicated to all relevant parties involved.
Legal representatives for the accused, including prominent lawyers Samuel Codjoe, Anis Moghtar Mohayideen, and D.K. Ameley, have been formally notified of the Attorney-General’s decision. While no official public statements have been made by the defence team, legal analysts suggest that the withdrawal could indicate a lack of substantial evidence or a strategic reevaluation by the prosecution.
The dropping of charges in such a widely-followed case has sparked varied reactions across the legal and political spectrum. Some view it as a necessary correction of an overextended prosecution, while others raise concerns about accountability and the broader implications for financial governance in Ghana.
As the dust settles on this legal matter, attention now shifts to the government’s broader anti-corruption agenda and the mechanisms in place to ensure transparency in the management of public institutions like SSNIT.
With the case now officially closed, stakeholders await further clarifications from the Attorney General’s office regarding the rationale behind the discontinuation and its potential impact on similar high-profile financial investigations in the future.
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