Minority in Parliament Threatens Legal Action Against Attorney-General Over Dropped uniBank Case
The Minority Caucus in Ghana’s Parliament has vowed to pursue legal action against Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, following his decision to file a nolle prosequi, discontinuing the criminal prosecution of Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, founder of the defunct uniBank, and seven others.
The move, announced on July 22, 2025, has sparked fierce criticism from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority, who describe it as a setback to justice and accountability.
Speaking at a press conference in Parliament on July 28, 2025, Minority Spokesperson on Constitutional and Legal Affairs, Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, MP for Asante Akyem Central, demanded that Dr. Ayine publicly justify the decision before the Select Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs. “This calls for serious scrutiny having regard to the entire circumstances of the case,” Anyimadu-Antwi stated, alleging a potential conflict of interest, as Dr. Ayine reportedly served as counsel for Dr. Duffuor and uniBank before assuming office. He warned that failure to reverse the nolle prosequi within a reasonable timeframe would prompt the Minority to challenge the decision in court, citing concerns over the politicization of prosecutions.
Dr. Ayine, addressing a Government Accountability Series press conference on July 28, 2025, defended the decision, emphasizing that it followed prolonged negotiations with Dr. Duffuor, uniBank shareholders, and the Receiver, resulting in a revised financial obligation of GH¢3.3 billion, down from an initial GH¢5.7 billion after excluding GH¢2.1 billion in alleged fictitious loans and GH¢0.3 billion in placements to Unisecurities. The settlement includes a GH¢2 billion payment, with GH¢800 million in assets transferred to uniBank and cooperation to recover additional funds from third parties, meeting the state’s 60% recovery threshold established with the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). Ayine stressed that the decision prioritizes asset recovery over prolonged trials, noting, “You can jail someone for 25 years and still recover nothing. With this agreement, we’re getting more than 60 percent of the money back.
The case, *The Republic v. Kwabena Duffuor & 7 Others* (CR/0248/2020), stems from the 2018 financial sector clean-up, which saw uniBank declared insolvent by the Bank of Ghana for unauthorized loans and withdrawals totaling GH¢5.3 billion. Dr. Duffuor, a former Finance Minister (2009–2013) and Bank of Ghana Governor (1997–2001), faced charges of theft and money laundering, including allegedly receiving GH¢663.3 million unlawfully. The Minority, however, argues that settling for 60% recovery undermines justice, with Anyimadu-Antwi questioning why legal provisions like Section 35 of the Courts Act or plea bargain frameworks were bypassed
Public sentiment on X reflects divided opinions, with users like @TheAtiila criticizing the decision as “political leniency,” while others, such as @JoyNewsOnTV, noted the recovery milestone. The Minority’s threat of legal action has intensified scrutiny on Dr. Ayine, with calls from the Ghana Bar Association and civil society for greater transparency. The case remains a flashpoint in Ghana’s ongoing debate over financial accountability and judicial integrity.
