Nothing illegal about Ayine’s press briefings – Hamza Suhuyini

A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communications Team, Hamza Suhuyini, has defended the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, amid criticisms over his recent media engagements on ongoing investigations.

The Minority in Parliament has accused Dr Ayine of incompetence and of breaching the constitutional rights of suspects by making prejudicial public comments before their trials.

They cited comments in which Dr Ayine allegedly described the former Chief Executive Officer of the National Food Buffer Stock Company, Abdul Wahab Hanan, and the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), as “lawless looters involved in criminal enterprise.”

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According to a citinewsroom.com report on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, Suhuyini insisted that the Attorney General’s briefings are consistent with democratic governance and accountability.

“If he organises press conferences and makes the facts available to Ghanaians, there’s nothing illegal about it. Perhaps people are confused about the presumption of innocence. It only comes into play when a charge sheet comes before the court,” he explained.

He added that Dr Ayine has been careful not to comment on matters before the courts, arguing that his public briefings help keep citizens informed.

“The presumption of innocence is effective when you have a charge sheet before the court; that is why he’s refraining from running commentary. These press conferences are in line with democratic accountability,” he added.

Suhuyini maintained that the Attorney General’s approach enhances public trust in governance and ensures transparency in the administration of justice.

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“This government will not run away from letting the people know the case it intends to present to the court. There’s nothing wrong with that. It happens in all serious democracies,” he stressed, the report said.

MRA/AE

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