Don’t dare me! – Ayine warns Afenyo-Markin over 10k ‘smear campaign’
Attorney-General (A-G) and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has strongly refuted allegations by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin regarding the recent search operation at the Roman Riddge residence of former Bank of Ghana (BoG) Governor, Dr. Ernest Addison.
The operation, conducted on March 19, 2025, by operatives of the National Security led by Richard Jakpa, Director of Special Operations, has sparked controversy. Mr. Afenyo-Markin accused the security team of stealing an undisclosed amount of cash from Dr. Addison’s bedroom, along with valuable jewellery belonging to his wife.
Addressing the media on Monday, March 24, Dr. Ayine vehemently denied the accusations, describing them as baseless and insulting.
“They are deciding to bastardise me and the operatives of the National Security by even claiming that during the search, which for me wasn’t a raid, they stole GH¢10,000. What an insult,” he stated.
Dr. Ayine cautioned Mr. Afenyo-Markin against using parliamentary immunity to spread falsehoods, emphasizing that such immunity does not grant MPs the license to defame individuals or officials performing their duties.
To substantiate his response, the A-G revealed that security officials possess recordings that provide an accurate account of the operation, contradicting the narrative being propagated by the Effutu MP.
“We have a recording of Dr. Addison and what he said about the search. If the Honourable Minority Leader is daring me, we will make that recording available. He should desist from maligning law enforcement officers and myself for the work we are doing,” Dr. Ayine asserted.
Dr. Ayine underscored his commitment to upholding the rule of law and acting within the confines of the Constitution. He highlighted his role as the leader of the bar, stressing that he would not engage in any unethical conduct.
“I am the leader of the bar, and I will act in the best interest of the profession. Everyone at the bar knows me for that. I have advised EOCO and National Security to stay within the confines of the law in conducting investigations,” he said.
The A-G also questioned how a search conducted with a court-issued warrant could be classified as unlawful or a raid.
“Are some people now above the law? That we cannot conduct a constitutionally-sanctioned search in their houses? No one is above the law in this country. We obtained warrants, and if the media wants, I can make those warrants available. There was no raid on his house, and there was nothing illegal or unconstitutional about what we did,” he insisted.
Dr. Ayine’s response comes amid growing scrutiny of raids and high-profile arrests and their implications for the rule of law in Ghana.
Prior to this, national security operatives had carried out similar raids on the home of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Attah.
Appointees of the past government such as former National Service Authority Executive Director Osei Assibey Antwi and his deputy Gifty Oware-Mensah are under investigation over various corruption-related cases.